Sources: Nick Pope's surprise Newcastle United plan revealed

Nick Pope is happy with his situation at Newcastle despite losing his place as their number one goalkeeper to Lukas Hornicek, sources have told Football Insider.

Pope's future was plunged into doubt in the summer window as Newcastle made Ewen Jaouen their first summer signing from Reims.

They later signed Hornicek from Braga, pushing the 34-year-old to third in the keeper pecking order ahead of the new campaign.

Pope was closely linked to the likes of Ipswich and Celtic before the deadline, but he has remained on Tyneside and is yet to make a competitive appearance this season.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, he is somewhat surprisingly content with fighting for his place in the team and is unlikely to push to leave Newcastle in the January window.

Matthias Jaissle has named him in several recent matchday squads with Jaouen injured, while Hornicek has impressed between the sticks since the start of the campaign.

Nick Pope keen to stay at Newcastle despite game time struggle

Jaissle was content to let Pope leave towards the end of the window and is likely to prefer Hornicek or Jaouen in cup competitions during this campaign.

The former England stopper believes that he can earn an opportunity to displace the Czech international, however, and so is likely to stay at St James' Park for the remainder of the season.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It's a difficult one. Look, Nick Pope does seem like he's happy to stay at Newcastle, despite losing his number one spot to Lukas Hornicek.

"He probably surprised a few people in the summer when he didn't push for a move away and was happy to stay and fight for his place at St James' Park, and that remains the case right now."

Dan Burn close to signing new deal at Newcastle

Burn is another Newcastle veteran who has been forced to watch on from the sidelines this season, but for injury reasons rather than selection decisions.

The 34-year-old is approaching the end of his Magpies contract in June 2027, with his future uncertain as they plan to potentially bolster Jaissle's centre-back options in the new year.

Despite the uncertainty, sources have revealed to Football Insider that Burn is expected to agree to a one-year contract extension at Newcastle in the coming months if he accepts a wage cut and lesser role in the squad.