SHAY Given has backed Nick Pope to retain his spot as Newcastle's No.1 next season amid United's push to bring in fresh goalkeeper competition.

Eddie Howe and Newcastle's recruitment team have identified the goalkeeper department as an area that needs strengthening this summer.

Howe is a huge fan of Pope, who is set to start next term as No.1, but having missed 23 games through injury this season, the Magpies are keen to add competition between the posts.

In the absence of Pope, Martin Dubravka was Newcastle's keeper for the bulk of the second half of the season but failed to convince.

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale is a target for the Magpies this summer but as things stand the clubs are far apart in their valuation of the England keeper.

Howe signed Ramsdale when he was in charge at Bournemouth and is keen on a reunion with the 26-year-old, who fell out of favour at Arsenal after Mikel Arteta signed David Raya.

Burnley's James Trafford and Giorgi Mamardashvili, from Valencia, are both also said to be on Newcastle's radar.

There's already been movement in the goalkeeper department this summer, with Loris Karius' exit confirmed. He made just two appearances for the club. The Magpies activated an option to extend Mark Gillespie's contract until the end of next season and a decision will need to be made on Dubravka, who is moving into the final year of his contract.

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Newcastle legend Given understands Howe's desire to strengthen in goal but believes there are more pressing priorities elsewhere.

"There's a history with Ramsdale and Howe with Bournemouth," the former Republic of Ireland international told the Northern Echo.

"I haven't got a clue what Eddie's thoughts are but if he wants to bring a younger more challenging keeper in then that would make sense.

"But everyone is talking about the budget, if they're bringing someone like Ramsdale in I would imagine the fee would be relatively high. Again, going back to priorities, I would have thought there are more pressing priorities elsewhere.

"If he had free rein and could do what he wants then you might think differently. But I don't think the goalkeeping section is a priority."

When fit, Pope has been excellent for Newcastle since signing two summers ago and was a key part of the Premier League's joint best defence in the 2022/23 season when Howe's side qualified for the Champions League.

Despite that form, Pope surprisingly fell out of favour with England boss Gareth Southgate. He hasn't been included in a squad since last May and missed out on selection for this summer's European Championships, with Southgate instead opting for Dean Henderson and Trafford to join Jordan Pickford and Ramsdale.

Given, like most on Tyneside, didn't see Pope's England omissions coming 12 months ago.

The 48-year-old, who was speaking to the Echo having supported the Emirates Race to the FA Cup final challenge, said: "I'm really surprised. Even when Nick was fit he didn't get in the last couple of squads. I don't know Gareth Southgate's thoughts, it is a bit of a - not a funny one - but I do think he should be in the squad."

Pope returned to action for Newcastle after a lengthy lay-off in the final day win at Brentford and then started the post-season friendly against Tottenham in Australia.