Nick Pope is eyeing a return to action with Newcastle United before the end of the month.

The Soham-born shot-stopper has not featured since the 4-2 defeat at Brentford in the Premier League on a day in which he suffered a knee injury. Since then Pope has made his return steadily behind the scenes and is now back in training at Benton.

But Sunday's encounter with Bromley comes too soon for the England international and Howe has forecasted the keeper will be back in contention after the spate of three games in six days. A home clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers follows the cup tie before another St James' Park affair against AFC Bournemouth.

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It is expected that Pope will be back in a position to challenge for a start in the away game at Southampton on January 25. Howe said: "He’s not far away. He is doing well. He hasn’t trained with the group yet, that’s mainly because we haven’t had a huge amount of training days because of the amount of games we have played.

“He has done goalkeeper training one on one with the coaches. He has done diving, kicking, he has done the lot.

"I just think there’s a bit longer needed before his knee is fully strong enough to play. We are not looking too far away. I think probably after this intense run of games."

But even once Pope has that training in the bank, he must still justify his selection ahead of in-form Dubravka. During Pope's absence, the 50-times Slovakia international has effectively played his way into talks for a new contract.

With a move to Al-Shabab on the table, Howe has requested he stays put which means the club must compensate him for missing out on a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League. When asked if Pope was still the number 1, Howe refused to go there.

The Newcastle head coach said: "I’m not going to answer that and you’ll understand that. Although everyone outside would perceive theres a number and a ranking.

"When you’re in my position and this goes for all the players,. It’s always in a state of flux. It’s always changing and moving because that’s down to the player’s performances.

"They will always make you change your mind an they will always give you for for thought because you want players to push each other, to question your decisions, nit to yourself but in your mind. I think that will be the case with this, let’s wait and see."

Dubravka's status as the club's current first choice means he is likely to be rested against Bromley with Odysseas Vlachodimos on standby.