Eddie Howe will likely make multiple changes to his Newcastle United starting lineup against Manchester City, but he has refused to confirm if one of them will be in goal.
Nick Pope has started every game for Newcastle so far this season, and looks back to his best after an outstanding performance against AC Milan. The 31-year-old had been criticised after the Brighton game, but has now kept three clean sheets on the bounce.
But with Howe boasting a deep squad, he may see the Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City as the chance to shuffle his pack and give one of his reserve goalkeepers a game. The Magpies have Martin Dubravka, Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie as backups, all of which will be keen to play on Wednesday night.
Dubravka is the most likely to come into the side, with the 34-year-old currently acting as Newcastle‘s second choice stopper. He returned to the bench at the weekend, having missed the Champions League clash with AC Milan due to illness.
However, given the calibre of the opposition and Howe’s desire to win a trophy, he might be unwilling to take Pope out of the side.
And based on his latest comments, it sounds like he is yet to make a decision.
Eddie Howe could change Newcastle’s goalkeeper for Carabao Cup contest
Ahead of the game against Manchester City, Howe spoke to the media. He was asked about the possibility of changing his goalkeeper for the Carabao Cup game on Wednesday night.
“Maybe, we’ll look at it,” he said.
“We do have some outstanding goalkeepers so I would have no problem or hesitation in playing any of them. But we will see.”
Dubravka should start against Man City
Howe has left the door open, with Dubravka certainly in with a chance of playing against last season’s treble winners.
It would make sense to give him a runout, and he will be very eager to play having spent so long on the bench.
Obviously Pope is a level above Dubravka, but the Slovakian is still a solid goalkeeper who Howe can trust against Manchester City on Wednesday night.
It will keep Dubravka happy, and give Pope a rest – not that he needs one after a quiet afternoon at Bramall Lane!