Alan Shearer makes new transfer prediction - Newcastle set for January U-turn?

Alan Shearer believes Newcastle will sign a short-term replacement for the injured Nick Pope, despite claims the club had faith in Martin Dubravka and Loris Karius to step up in his absence.

Dubravka has conceded seven goals in our last two games - that's as many as Pope let in over his previous 10 (!) - and made a couple of errors in Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Spurs.

Shearer accepts 'it's difficult to come into the team' after being on the sidelines for such a long time, but he 'would be amazed' if we aren't looking to sign another goalkeeper in the next few weeks.

Here's what he told Premier League Productions shortly after yesterday's defeat in North London:

“There is a reason why he has been number two. I mean, Nick Pope has been brilliant for Newcastle.

“After having not played for such a long time, I get that it’s difficult to come into the team. But it wouldn’t surprise me, at all if Newcastle were to go out and get a replacement for Pope in the next couple of weeks.

“It has to be. If he gets injured, then they are in trouble, so to prepare and plan. I would be amazed if they aren’t looking at different ideas now in getting another goalkeeper in – it would amaze me if they haven’t already discussed options in what to do in the next couple of weeks.”

No doubt we'll see a host of goalkeepers linked in the coming days and weeks, with David De Gea, Aaron Ramsdale, Hugo Lloris and Keylor Navas already mentioned by the media since news of Pope's injury.