Newcastle United rocked by new injury scare as star suffers concussion
Martin Dubravka will miss the clash against AFC Bournemouth but not for the reasons you’d think
Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka suffered an injury scare in training in the build-up to Sunday’s trip to AFC Bournemouth.
The Slovakia international was involved in a collision which saw him suffer concussion meaning he did not take his place on the bench. Instead former England keeper John Ruddy stepped up as back-up to Nick Pope and youngster Max Thompson travelled as cover.
Dubravka has been linked with the exit door this summer after the arrival of Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos. But Howe has retained his services for now and even named him ahead of the summer signings last week.
Dubravka has spoken of his future earlier in the summer and said: “What is the plan for me? What is my future? I don’t know if they want me to stay or not. It is difficult for me, because I have been focused on my job with the national team.”
After playing Dubravka against Brest in pre-season, during the Sela Weekender, Howe said: “I thought Martin did really well today and he’s a really valued member of our squad.”
Dubravka stepped in during Pope’s injury woes last season with the former Burnley star out for six months with a shoulder problem. Now 35, Dubravka – signed in 2018 from Sparta Prague – wants first-team football and has been linked with clubs around Europe without securing a deal this summer.
Newcastle line-up for clash at Bournemouth: Pope; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
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