Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope, Botman’s injury and a ‘big step forward’ in win over Everton | OneFootball

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says his side’s 4-1 win over Everton in Nick Pope’s absence is a “big step forward”.

Pope missed the game through injury with Ramsdale instead starting as a double from Malick Thiaw, and goals from Lewis Miley and Nick Woltemade handed the Magpies a big win.

“I think Aaron showed his qualities with the ball at his feet today, he distributed the ball very well,” Howe said on his goalkeeper.

“He wasn’t overly worked necessarily in terms of shots, but what he did have to handle, I thought he did well. I didn’t think he could do much for the goal. I think it’s a good day for him and a good day for the team in general.”

On whether Ramsdale would have started the game instead of Pope regardless, Howe refused to say.

“That’s for me to know,” he responded.

“We’re disappointed to lose Nick, we can’t afford to lose any player.

“He suffered an injury just towards the end of training. I didn’t name the team yesterday. We were just training as normal, and he was just wrong-footed on a shot and just felt something in his groin, more after training than in that moment.

“We hope he’s not out for long, we need him back. He’ll have a scan in the next few days to find the damage.”

Sven Botman also missed the game and is set to undergo further assessment.

“Sven is going to see a specialist this week,” Howe said. “Fingers crossed, he’s not out for too long. Any absence of a player with Sven’s qualities, especially with the injuries that he has had, is a blow for us. So, fingers crossed.”

Howe also urged his side to keep focused after a big victory, adding: “We have a lot of work to do to say we have solved some of the issues we have had, but it is a big moment for us. A step forward.”