Nick Pope is confident that Newcastle United will soon be enjoying more England call-ups due to the ambition around St James' Park these days.
It was United's vision in the transfer market that resulted in World Cup-bound Pope making the move from Burnley in the summer. United beat off interest from West Ham and Nottingham Forest to land the 30-year-old stopper.
Pope could be named as England's No 1 for crucial UEFA Nations League games against Italy and Germany. Pope thinks having ambitious owners can help the cause of others pushing for an international cap.
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Pope said: "I think international football’s something is earned by how you play for your club. Newcastle now will hopefully be seen, and be grown to be seen, as a club where internationals will regularly come from.
"Moving here, and playing in this team is something that will help me get England caps. I’m never going to be a goalkeeper that gets 50, 60 caps. I’m 30. I’m not being unrealistic, but I feel there’s more for me, and I want to see how many I get. It’s another ambition."
Pope is in pole position to get to the World Cup finals in Qatar providing he stays fit and avoids injuries.
He reflected: "I was lucky enough to be part of the last one. I was unlucky or unfortunate to miss out on the Euros because of my knee surgery, so that fire’s still burning for myself. Being part of a major tournament for England is the biggest stage you can possibly get to. In a footballer’s career, you don’t see too many.
"If you get to three World Cups, you’ve done unbelievably well. It’s special to have that opportunity, and it’ll be a target."
Gareth Southgate goes into the next two fixtures under pressure for results after losing to Hungary home and away last summer to blow any chance of winning the Nations League.
When asked if he had any talks with Southgate before deciding to make the move to St James' Park, Pope said: "Not really. It wasn’t done by then (when met up for summer England games). I was more battering Tripps with questions, asking him what it was like. I was asking what the club was like, what the players were like, just asking him general questions, and getting a feel for the club."
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