NICK POPE will be part of Newcastle United’s squad for the forthcoming tour of the United States – and is winning his battle to be fit for the start of the Premier League season.
Pope underwent hand surgery in the final month of last season, and as well as missing Newcastle’s final game of the campaign against Chelsea, he was also forced to sit out England’s European Championships double-header against Malta and North Macedonia.
The 31-year-old reported to Newcastle’s Darsley Park training complex for the start of pre-season training at the start of this week, but is not yet able to take part in full sessions and will not be involved in the forthcoming friendlies against Gateshead and Rangers.
He will travel to the US with the rest of Eddie Howe’s first-team squad next week though, and will step up his training programme Stateside with the aim of being available for Newcastle’s opening Premier League game against Aston Villa in the middle of next month.
“Nick is doing well,” confirmed Howe, who recently saw another of his goalkeepers, Loris Karius, sign a new deal. “He won’t train with us initially with his hands, but will go out (to the US) and do some footwork.”
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Joe Willock is another player who is set to step up his recovery programme in the next few weeks, having suffered a hamstring problem towards the end of last term, with Sean Longstaff already back up to full speed after he also suffered injury issues in the closing stages of last season.
“Joe Willock, I don’t think is too far away from full training,” said Howe, in an interview with Newcastle United's official media channels. “He’s not there yet, but is making good progress with his hamstring injury.
“We have Sean Longstaff as well, who was missing at the end of last season but he’s back fully training.”
Emil Krafth remains a longer-term absentee, with the Swede still battling his way back to full fitness after being forced to sit out the whole of last season because of a serious knee injury.
“Emil is a bit further back,” confirmed Howe. “(He’s) doing well, making good progress, but we don’t expect to see him in pre-season.”
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