Pope’s status has never truly been in doubt.
The veteran started the season as first-choice – just as he did in each of his previous three campaigns at Newcastle.
But Howe recognised the need to bring in fresh competition, even before goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s departure to Burnley was sanctioned last summer.
James Trafford had been a longstanding target, but the 23-year-old decided to rejoin former club Manchester City from Burnley instead.
And Pope previously admitted that Newcastle’s very public search for a permanent goalkeeper – and the subsequent arrival of Ramsdale on loan from Southampton – drove him on to “push himself to the absolute maximum to earn the right to play for the club”.
Pope certainly earned that right after starting the campaign strongly.
Such was Pope’s form, the 33-year-old was recalled to the England squad for the first time in a year earlier this month – only to have to withdraw after suffering a concussion during a match against Brentford.
It was a deserved call-up.
Pope kept eight clean sheets in his opening 14 games in all competitions, and his superb 65-yard throw went viral after he set up Harvey Barnes’ breakaway goal against Benfica.
But Newcastle have struggled defensively on the road in recent weeks.
Though he has not always been offered much protection by those around him, Pope has let in 10 goals in his past four away games and made different types of errors against Marseille, Brentford and West Ham when his side were in front.
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta’s shot squirmed past him at the London Stadium.
Pope was caught out at the Gtech Community Stadium a week later when he attempted to punch the ball only for Kevin Schade to equalise from Brentford defender Michael Kayode’s long throw.
And then there was his rush of blood to the head in Marseille.
