Burnley have been served a huge blow in the eve of the new Premier League season after star goalkeeper Nick Pope suffered a potentially serious shoulder injury in Thursday’s Europa League tie against Aberdeen.
Pope has been a revelation for Burnley in the last 12 months and even earned a spot in England’s 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup as Gareth Southgate’s third choice goalkeeper.
The 26-year-old was linked with a move to Liverpool before the Reds signed Alisson from Roma for a world record fee for a goalkeeper, but now the Burnley shot-stopper looks set for a long period on the sidelines.
“Nick has a shoulder injury,” Dyche told Sky Sports after Burnley’s 1-1 draw with Aberdeen on Thursday night. “We’ll have to wait and see but it looks to be more serious, rather than not serious.”
Pope was forced off during the first leg of their Europa League qualifier after just 14 minutes and it adds to Burnley’s goalkeeping frustations.
Tom Heaton started last season as Burnley’s first choice goalkeeper before dislocating his shoulder in September and now Pope has followed that up with a serious shoulder problem of his own.
Of goalkeepers that made more than one appearance in the Premier League last season, only David De Gea (79.9%) had a better save success rate than Pope (75%).
