Published Sep 30, 2026, 11:12 AM GMT+1

Dominic is a football journalist for Football FanCast, specialising in Premier League reporting, transfer analysis and the EFL. He graduated from the University of Huddersfield in 2022 with a first-class honours degree in Sports Journalism.
 

Since leaving university, Dominic has written for several leading football publications, including GiveMeSport, Football FanCast, The Transfer Tavern and Sports Mole, producing everything from transfer exclusives and breaking news to in-depth analysis and match coverage.
 

Dominic has previously worked in club media with FC Halifax Town, as well as for The Halifax Courier, where he interviewed figures including Pete Wild, Gary Johnson and Phil Parkinson. He has also interviewed the likes of Gus Poyet and Dean Saunders for Football FanCast.
 

His expertise lies in assessing the credibility of transfer stories, analysing what potential deals mean for clubs on and off the pitch and providing context behind football's biggest talking points. Through years of covering Sunderland and Newcastle United, Dominic has developed an extensive understanding of football in the North East, their recruitment strategies and the issues that matter most to supporters. His reporting is informed by established relationships across the football industry, providing valuable insight into the game's biggest stories.
 

A Tranmere Rovers supporter, Dominic has a particular passion for the EFL and enjoys covering every level of the English football pyramid.

As such, it has been a mixed start to the season for the Magpies, but they managed to sign off in positive fashion before the international break, running out 2-1 winners against newly-promoted Hull City at St. James' Park.

Lukas Hornicek was given the nod between the sticks against the Tigers, and the two-time Czechia international has remained Jaissle's first-choice option between the sticks so far this season, but he has kept just one clean sheet in five Premier League appearances.

In truth, Hornicek has big boots to fill, having been brought in as a replacement for Nick Pope, who was a mainstay in the Howe era, making 131 appearances since arriving from Burnley in 2022, during which time Newcastle have been playing Champions League football.

However, with the 34-year-old falling down the pecking order, his future at St. James' Park is looking increasingly doubtful, and there has now been a further update on his thoughts about a move elsewhere.

Nick Pope wants to leave Newcastle in 2027

According to a report from Football Insider, Pope is planning to explore a move away from St. James' Park in the January transfer window, but he will also look at leaving as a free agent in the summer, at which point his contract will have expired.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke explained: "Let's see what happens in January. If there are decent options for Nick Pope then it's something he might look at, but he's in a strong position as well. Coming into the final year of his contract, he'll be the master of his own destiny come next summer. If he is out of contract, he can pick and choose where he wants to go as a free agent."

In truth, a move elsewhere is probably best for all parties, given that the Magpies signed Hornicek and Jaouen in the summer, and the latter has emerged as Jaissle's second-choice goalkeeper this season, featuring in the 3-2 EFL Cup victory against West Bromwich Albion.

Despite being unwilling to give the £60,000-a-week goalkeeper any game time, Jaissle has made it clear he's an admirer of Pope, saying: "I really appreciate what he has done in his career so far. He knows exactly the situation right now and we need to deal with it in the best possible way, but I always appreciate the player and the human being behind."

The Englishman, who has been lauded as "phenomenal" by Shay Given, will always be remembered for starting in the 2-1 EFL Cup final victory against Liverpool in 2025, which ended Newcastle's 70-year trophy drought, but Hornicek and Jaouen are the future.