NICK POPE will get the chance to stay as Newcastle’s No 1, despite the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale confirmed his loan move from Southampton yesterday to join Eddie Howe’s squad after the Toon’s failure to land James Trafford from Burnley.
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But long-serving Pope, 33, will start the Premier League campaign as first choice because Howe feels loyalty towards him.
Ramsdale, 27, must wait for his chance and hope he can do enough to claim the regular keeper’s spot.
Newcastle had enquiries for Pope that they rejected, and will back that up by starting with the ten-cap England stopper in the side.
Instead the Geordies plan to let a couple of other keepers go and let the main two scrap it out for the top job.
Ramsdale opted for Newcastle to make sure he keeps another relegation off his CV, having suffered the drop with FOUR teams in his career.
He went down during an early loan at Chesterfield and that was followed by heartbreak at Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Southampton last season.
Ramsdale had several choices of club when he left the south coast — but his fear of the drop ended the chances of three clubs.
The canny keeper refused to entertain Leeds, Burnley or Sunderland — who all showed signs of interest — because he did not want to join a promoted side.
In more Newcastle transfer news Manchester United reportedly enquired about the possibility of signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle this week.
The Red Devils are understood to be determined to add a striker to their ranks before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool have had a £100million bid for him rejected already as Eddie Howe‘s side look to keep him at the club.
Newcastle value him at £150million The Sun has been told.
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