Transfer Talk: The keepers Toon could be in safe hands with

Newcastle are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper.

Nick Pope is expected to be out for four months with a shoulder injury — and in the two games since he was forced off, the Magpies have shipped seven goals.

While Martin Dubravka is considered an able deputy, he is a doubt for tonight's clash against AC Milan and Eddie Howe may target an upgrade in the January transfer window.

Ahead of tonight's crucial Champions League showdown, we consider who Newcastle could add to their goalkeeping department.

Sam Johnstone

Another Englishman might be set to fill in for Pope — if recent reports are to be believed — with Crystal Palace No1 Sam Johnstone linked with a switch to St James' Park.

Johnstone, 30, has made 16 Premier League appearances this season, keeping five clean sheets and letting in 22 goals.

He ranks second among keepers in the division for crosses caught (21), although his save percentage of 61.82% is not particularly impressive.

By comparison, Pope has a save percentage of 75.47%, second only to Alisson (81.03%).

Johnstone was also substituted with an injury in Palace's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last Saturday, so his fitness will need to be monitored.

Giorgi Mamardashvili

A more left-field option for Newcastle could be Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The 23-year-old stopper has impressed in LaLiga this term and has previously been linked with Tottenham and Manchester United.

But with a release clause of £87million, Mamardashvili may prove to be an expensive option.

Like Johnstone, the Valencia stopper has kept five league clean sheets so far in 2023-24 — though he has a superior save percentage of 68.75%.

The highly-rated Georgia international, eight years Pope's junior, would also be a long-term option for Newcastle.

A move to Tyneside will likely depend on whether Valencia are willing to sell for significantly less than his current release clause.

Wildcard options

Newcastle's wealth and their need for a new keeper on a short-term basis has led to some predictable rumours.

David de Gea — still a free agent after leaving United at the end of last season — was the first name to be widely circulated.

There have also been suggestions that Aaron Ramsdale could join from Arsenal after losing his place to David Raya.

Likewise, Tottenham's Hugo Lloris might be available, with Guglielmo Vicario now first choice under Ange Postecoglou.

Another possibility could be Paris Saint-Germain custodian Keylor Navas, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Stick or twist?

Another viable option for Howe is to stick with his current goalkeeping options until Pope returns.

The Newcastle boss, 46, has spoken highly of deputy Dubravka but the Slovakian is a doubt for tonight with illness, potentially handing a chance for third-choice Loris Karius to impress.

Should he start, it will be just the ex-Liverpool stopper's second game for the Magpies, with the first being their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United last season.

How the 30-year-old fares between the sticks at James' Park could well sway Howe's thinking on whether to bring in a new face in January.