Nick Pope reacts as Newcastle contract agreement confirmed

Nick Pope has reacted on social media after young goalkeeper George Mair penned his first professional contract at Newcastle.

Pope has fallen down the pecking order at Newcastle this season under Matthias Jaissle as he approaches the end of his contract in June 2027.

The 34-year-old struggled for form last season, making several errors leading to goals as he battled for starts with Aaron Ramsdale.

Newcastle signed Ewen Jaouen and Lukas Hornicek to bolster their keeping department over the summer, with the latter now Jaissle's clear number one.

Pope has been absent from social media amid his struggles on Tyneside, but has now taken to Instagram to send support to young Magpies keeper Mair.

It remains to be seen if the former England stopper has any long-term future at Newcastle, with a possible exit touted for the January window.

Nick Pope breaks Instagram silence with support for George Mair

Pope has been in the matchday squad for the last four Newcastle matches across league and cup with Jaouen out injured.

He was closely linked to both Ipswich and Celtic in the summer window, but failed to secure a move away from Tyneside.

The 34-year-old took to Instagram to leave a like on young Magpies stopper Mair's post announcing his first professional contract on Monday evening.

Mair, 17, is an England youth international and made his first start for United's under-21s during a National League Cup clash last month.

The highly-rated stopper joined the Magpies' academy at under-8 level and is backed to make his way into the first-team in the coming years.

Pope is 'confident' of staking another claim at Newcastle under Jaissle

Pope stayed at Newcastle to fight for his place this season after he was not tempted by any offers from other clubs.

He is yet to make a competitive appearance under Jaissle, with new signing Hornicek impressing since his arrival as the Magpies' first-choice keeper.

Despite his setbacks, sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Pope believes he can win his place back in the Newcastle starting eleven before the end of this season.

He is likely to leave next summer at the end of his own contract regardless of what happens, with his future then in his own hands as a free agent.