Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope undergoes successful knee surgery

Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope Nick Pope has undergone successful knee surgery after he was ruled out of Euro 2020 .

The 29-year-old started all three of March’s World Cup qualifiers for England in Jordan Pickford’s absence, but picked up a knee problem towards the end of the Premier League season.

Pope was hoping to play the final league game against Sheffield United last Sunday, but after feeling further discomfort he underwent surgery to address a cartilage issue in his left knee on Tuesday – the day England manager Gareth Southgate named a provisional 33-man squad.

“For Nick, it’s heart-breaking to get an injury so close to a major tournament,” said Southgate.

“He’s been a fantastic member of our squad; a totally unselfish guy.

“In Russia, he spent hour after hour throwing himself around for penalties, which was as important in our penalty shoot-out success as the guys who took them.

In Pope’s absence, Southgate selected Everton goalkeeper Pickford – who looks set to be first choice at this summer’s tournament – along with Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, West Brom’s Sam Johnstone and Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale.

Southgate will have to cut the 33-man England list down to 26 by June 1.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche said Pope was “unfortunate” to miss out but has backed his goalkeeper to bounce back from the disappointment next season.

read alsoBurnley goalkeeper Nick Pope to have knee surgery

“We’re expecting the recovery to go well at this early stage, but we’ll wait and see as he recovers,” Dyche told the club’s website

“He’s had a really, really good season once again. He continues to develop into a top, top keeper.