Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Nick Pope willing to fight for place rather than sealing loan move

Despite signing for the Addicks in 2011, the 23-year-old goalkeeper has only made 21 league appearances for the club.

Stephen Henderson – and predecessor Ben Hamer – have been preferred as Charlton’s number one, with Pope instead being sent on several loan spells.

The Ipswich Academy graduate has already been the subject of eight loan deals – most recently joining up with Bury at the end of last season as the League Two club sealed automatic promotion.

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Pope has not played a league game for Charlton since October but insists he wants to stay at the Valley and fight for his place.

When asked about the possibility of a loan move, Pope said: “That’s not on my mind at the minute. It’s purely on Charlton and trying to do what I can do get the club out of trouble.

“Hopefully another chance at Charlton presents itself and I can impress.

“You never know when you’re going to be called upon. There’s no switching off, even if you’re not involved, because you need to be ready – at the end of day this is your career.”

With Irish goalkeeper Henderson currently Charlton’s number one, Pope acknowledges that an imminent return to the team may not be possible.

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However, the 23-year-old hopes to stake his claim at some point this season.

“Everyone is pressing for a place in the team,” he said.

“You’ve just got to keep doing your best in training and hopefully that’s enough and when you do get an opportunity, take your chance and stake your claim for a place in the team more regularly.

“The competition between myself and Hendo is healthy – we drive each other on. Wherever you are there’s never just one keeper at a club so there’s always competition.

“There’s always someone waiting in the wings if you don’t perform and that’s the same at Charlton.”

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