The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has insisted on Pod on the Tyne that Martin Dubravka is set to stay as Newcastle United’s second-choice goalkeeper.
The Lowdown: Bloated goalkeeper department
After the Slovakia international requested his loan be cut short at Manchester United due to a severe lack of game time, the Magpies now have far too many goalkeepers in their squad.
As things stand, Eddie Howe has as many as five on his books – four of whom are registered to be part of his Premier League squad, which is crazy to think given some of those spots could easily be handed to new signings instead.
Therefore, with Dubravka taking up a spot on the bench immediately once he returned against Arsenal, it would suggest that at least one of Karl Darlow or Loris Karius must go this month.
The Latest: Dubravka set to stay at Newcastle
Dubravka has labelled Newcastle as his home upon his return to Tyneside, and Waugh has recently admitted he’s set to play second fiddle to Nick Pope, moving Darlow out of the way in the process.
Waugh said: “He referred to Newcastle as his home in a social media post, and he’s back. What that means for the future of the rest of the goalkeepers is an interesting matter.
“Loris Karius, his contract is up this month – there is an option to extend at the end of the season. His situation is very much going to depend upon whether Karl Darlow is to go out – be it on loan or permanent.
“Newcastle can’t sustain that many goalkeepers; they’ve also got Mark Gillespie, who isn’t in the Premier League squad.
“The plan at the moment is [that] Dubravka is going to stay around. He’s been linked with Leicester and others, but the plan at the moment is he is going to stay at Newcastle for the rest of the season unless they get a really enticing offer, and unless he’s given the guarantees of playing.
“So it’s an interesting situation, I think, that he’s had to accept his relegation status, for want of a better term, that he is now No 2.”
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The Verdict: Howe must now be ruthless
The one negative against Eddie Howe since he became Newcastle’s manager could perhaps be his lack of ruthlessness to move on players that no longer have a role to play at St James’ Park, with the likes of Mark Gillespie, Paul Dummett and Ryan Fraser all still lingering around despite making zero starts this season.
Therefore, Howe must ensure that he can move on at least two ‘keepers this summer to make room in his squad for new signings, reduce the wage bill and bring in some much-needed money as the club fight against Financial Fair Play regulations.
However, it does beg the question of whether Dubravka will come back to Newcastle as the same player he left as, with journalist Scott Saunders labelling him a ‘walking disaster’ after his Man United performances.
