FORMER York City goalkeeper Nick Pope has been called up to the England squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland later this month.

Lee Carsley’s side will take on Greece at Wembley next Thursday (October 10, 7:45pm) before travelling to Helsinki on Sunday, October 13 (5pm).

The 32-year-old first joined the Minstermen on a short-term loan from Charlton Athletic in November 2013 before returning in January for the remainder of the season.

He kept 16 clean sheets in 24 matches as City reached the League Two play-offs, only to fall short against Fleetwood Town.

Pope kept 16 clean sheets for City in the 2013-14 season.Pope kept 16 clean sheets for City in the 2013-14 season. (Image: Newsquest) It is the second time that the shot-stopper has been included in a Three Lions squad in as many months, having made his Newcastle United return from a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for the majority of last season.

Whilst the Magpies’ performances have been somewhat below par across their opening six Premier League matches, Pope has been among their standouts, with former top-flight stopper Ben Foster labelling him “one of the best you will see” following Saturday’s draw with Manchester City.

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He though will face competition from Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson as he looks to add to his 10 England caps to date.

Carsley welcomes back both Jude Bellingham and Kyle Walker to his squad ahead of the fixtures, whilst striker Dominic Solanke has received a first call-up since 2017 after an impressive start to life at Tottenham Hotspur.

GOALKEEPERS: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United)

DEFENDERS: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

MIDFIELDERS: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal)

FORWARDS: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)