Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has withdrawn from England’s squad over injury concerns just over a fortnight away from facing West Ham United.
The Magpies head to the London Stadium on Wednesday, April 5, a game initially due to take place back in September but was postponed, along with the Premier League’s other matches, following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabth II.
Before that game, and West Ham ’s meeting with relegation-threatened rivals Southampton three days earlier (April 2), there is an international break, where a large number of players across the Premier League are linking up with their countries for the first international break of 2023.
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Alongside Hammers captain Declan Rice in the England squad is Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope for the Three Lions’ 2024 European Championship qualifying matches against Italy and Ukraine.
However, Pope has withdrawn from the squad over concerns over a minor injury, with Tottenham Hotspur stopper Fraser Forster called up in his place.
While Pope is now a potential doubt for the trip to the Hammers, they will be boosted by the return of versatile Brazilian Joelinton.
The midfielder, who can play as a winger and as a striker, has missed Newcastle’s last two 2-1 wins over Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers after picking up ten yellow cards in this season’s Premier League.
The Hammers currently sit 18th in the Premier League while Newcastle are in fifth, two points off the Champions League qualification spots.
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