Newcastle United's goalkeeper situation had only recently started to stabilize, with Ewen Jaouen returning from an ankle injury to resume his role behind first-choice Lukas Hornicek before joining France Under-21s during the international break.
However, according to Chronicle Live's Lee Ryder , Jaouen has now suffered another major setback and requires surgery on a hamstring injury sustained while training with France.
The 20-year-old had started his country's first two matches of the break, including a clean sheet against Estonia, before being forced to return to Newcastle early.
"Jaouen now requires surgery on the hamstring problem he suffered while training with France Under-21s," Ryder reported.
In his pre-game press conference ahead of the trip to Coventry, manager Mathias Jaissle confirmed Jaouen will miss the next two months.
The injury is another significant setback to Jaouen's first season on Tyneside. The summer signing from Reims had only recently recovered from the ankle problem that kept him out of Newcastle's final three matches before the international break.
His latest absence could also alter Nick Pope's situation. The veteran has fallen behind both Hornicek and Jaouen under Jaissle, but the former England international now appears set to regain the backup role while the French goalkeeper recovers. This news also comes as Bayern Munich has reportedly identified the 34-year-old as a possible target for next summer.
Jaouen's surgery may now give Newcastle additional reason to retain Pope at least throughout the season, particularly with Hornicek carrying the responsibility as Jaissle's established No. 1. The immediate concern, however, is Jaouen's recovery after a second injury setback in the opening months of his Newcastle career.
How concerned are you about Jaouen's latest injury, and should it end any possibility of Pope leaving Newcastle in January? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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