Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given believes Nick Pope has 'improved' Eddie Howe's side following his impressive start to life at St James' Park.
Pope registered back-to-back clean sheets in his first two games for the Magpies. However, he missed out on the chance to become the first Newcastle player to keep clean sheets in each of his first three games after conceding against Man City.
The United goalkeeper made a series of fine saves against City, denying Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva as Pep Guardiola's side piled on the pressure. Given has praised Newcastle's improvement as a defensive unit under Howe and insists that Pope's current form will help him push for a place in England's 2022 World Cup squad.