Former Sunderland striker Darren Bent has criticized Newcastle United shot stopper Nick Pope.

The Englishman was a revelation for the Magpies last season as they finished fourth in the Premier League.

However, Dent admits that Pope has a huge weakness at building out from the back, which teams are exploiting this term.

"I don't even want to say this but I'm saying it because he's not made the England squad, and there are question marks on whether he can play with his feet," said talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein.

"Is goalkeeper Nick Pope a player Newcastle fans or even Eddie Howe will be thinking about? I don't think he's a problem. You look at their defensive record last season and it was up there with the very best of them. "

"If you want to play this modern way of football then you have to play with your feet from the back, then Nick Pope can't do that," Bent responded.

"Simple as that. I know people say 'he's OK with his feet' but these managers now want players that are exceptional.

"You look at Manchester United now for instance - Onana is so comfortable on the ball. Look how he holds on to it - that's how they want their goalkeepers to play. Nick Pope - shot-stopper, coming for crosses and all that - is brilliant, one of the best in the league at doing that.

"But that last little bit which is vital now, playing out from the back . . . unless Eddie Howe doesn't want to play that way, in which case you've got no issues. If you want to play from the back then I don't think he's comfortable enough to do that."