Newcastle United shot stopper Nick Pope battled through the pain barrier last season.

The England goalkeeper eventually had surgery as the season concluded on a troublesome finger issue.

What many fans did not realise is that he was playing with five finger dislocations at one stage.

Pope told reporters this week: “The finger that kept dislocating too easily, which is not ideal for a goalkeeper! I had to get it stabilized. I had a kind of anchor put in it, and then got it taped up with some cotton wool.

“There was one at the World Cup, one in September and a couple around games after that and against Bournemouth. Every time it dislocated, the joint was getting weaker. I wasn't pushing it back in – I left that to the doctor! I didn't really want to look at it to be honest. It would happen, then I would glance down at my hand and then look away.

“When it came out, the first time was probably the worst in terms of the pain, then it kind of eases off, which is a good thing pain wise, but probably not a good thing for your health. I give credit to Matt Targett – he was the first to make it dislocate in training. It was a penalty that he was obviously never going to take, so I wasn't best pleased after that!"