Nick Pope has insisted he did not demand the number 1 shirt at Newcastle United ahead of his £10million move from Burnley this summer. This season is a big one for Pope - like it will be for all England players - with the World Cup unfolding in the middle of the 2022/23 campaign and the 30-year-old knows he will need to be playing regular football to ensure he is on the plane with the Three Lions.
Pope's transfer from the relegated Clarets to the ambitious Magpies coincided with a strong statement from the agent of last season's number 1 Martin Dubravka, where it was underlined that the Slovakian is not here to play as a back-up to anybody.
It leaves Eddie Howe with a welcome selection headache but a situation he must manage carefully with the former Bournemouth boss knowing if he starts with Pope in August, a transfer request could be in the post from Dubravka.
