Overview of the Goalkeeper Situation

As Newcastle United gears up for their crucial weekend clash against Everton, the club is in a precarious position with both goalkeepers Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka dealing with injury concerns. Manager Eddie Howe has expressed his worries, highlighting the swelling in Pope's knee, which forced him to sit out the last game. Dubravka's situation is equally alarming, as he sustained a “nasty” knee injury that sidelined him during halftime.

Manager's Comments

In his post-match remarks, Howe noted, “I think he [Pope] is OK, but Martin took a nasty bang to his knee. We hope he is alright.” The manager indicated that it was too early to determine the severity of Dubravka's injury, stating, “We will see how that settles down. We had a few players fatigued at the end, and I have no idea if it is going to be a knock or a serious one.”

Potential Replacements

Despite the injury worries, Newcastle is not entirely lacking in replacements. Odysseas Vlachodimos recently made his debut and impressed Howe with his performance. “I thought he did very well,” said Howe. “He came for one really good long throw and claimed it. I don’t think he had any shots of note to save, but he distributed the ball well and showed his experience.”

Pope's Injury Status

The potential absence of Pope is not particularly alarming at this stage, with Howe assuring fans that the England international's injury is not serious: “It’s just a bit of swelling on his knee. We are hopeful he is OK for Saturday.”

Other Injury Updates

Adding to the team's injury list, Fabian Schar was also replaced in the second half after signaling discomfort. Howe mentioned that Schar experienced a bang to his ankle and some tightness in his body, although he remains optimistic about his recovery.

Strategic Decisions

On a brighter note, Harvey Barnes' substitution was a strategic decision planned before the match, aimed at rotation to keep the squad fresh for the upcoming game. “Without the injury to Martin we might have done a few more at half-time. The plan was to rotate and keep everybody fresh for Saturday,” Howe explained.

Conclusion

As Newcastle United navigates these injury concerns, fans are left wondering if the team’s depth will hold strong against Everton. Will they have enough firepower to secure a vital victory? One can only wait and watch as the game approaches!