Goalkeeper Nick Pope will miss Newcastle's Chelsea clash due to surgery

Newcastle will be taking on Chelsea in their final game of the season without Nick Pope, who will undergo an operation on his left hand.

Pope, an ever-present in the Premier League in his first season at St James' Park following his £10million move from Burnley, has been instrumental in the Magpies guaranteeing a top-four finish.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper made a fine save on Monday to deny Leicester's Timothy Castagne and ensure Eddie Howe's side got the point they needed to guarantee Champions League football next term for the first time in 20 years.

A goalless draw against the Foxes was Pope's 14th clean sheet in the top flight this season but it seems likely to be his final match of the season, with his left arm bandaged when he attended an event in Northumberland on Wednesday afternoon.

And Newcastle confirmed Pope has withdrawn from the England squad for next month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia next month as he is set to have surgery on his hand.

"Nick Pope - who withdrew from the last Three Lions squad due to injury - is not involved as he is set to undergo an operation on his hand," a statement on Newcastle's website read.

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