NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Nick Pope has had surgery on his left hand and will miss the final game of the season against Chelsea.

Pope has also been forced to withdraw from the England squad for next month's EURO 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

The 31-year-old has been playing through pain in recent months and surgery that was scheduled for the summer was brought forward after Newcastle secured their place in the Champions League with a game to spare thanks to their draw against Leicester City on Monday night.

Pope, an ever-present in the Premier League in his first season at St James’ Park following his £10million move from Burnley, has been instrumental in the Magpies guaranteeing a top-four finish.

He made a fine last gasp save on Monday to deny Leicester’s Timothy Castagne and ensure Eddie Howe’s side got the point they needed to guarantee Champions League football next term for the first time in 20 years.

Afterwards, boss Eddie Howe said: "Nick for us has been an incredible signing. His goalkeeping has been very, very good, very consistent. He's made huge saves from day one. Today he had nothing to do until right at the end.

"They were always going to get a moment and that's when you need your goalkeeper to deliver and Nick did again."

Monday's goalless draw was Pope’s 14th clean sheet in the top flight this season but he won't be involved at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with his left arm bandaged when he attended an event in Northumberland on Wednesday afternoon.

The injury also forced Pope to withdraw from the England squad.The keeper was also forced to pull out of Gareth Southgate's squad for the March qualifers.