This was Eddie Howe back to his coy ‘best’ — definitely not the right word — but in straightbatting a question about Martin Dubravka’s potentially imminent exit, he appeared to all-but confirm the Slovakia international is heading into the final throes of his Newcastle United career.
Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab have essentially agreed a deal in principle with the 35-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, and the expectation is that he will leave this month.
It is essentially becoming a matter of when, not if, Dubravka departs.
Reports in Saudi Arabia over the weekend claimed tomorrow’s Carabao Cup semi-final trip to the Emirates Stadium would represent Dubravka’s final appearance for Newcastle, given that Nick Pope is due back from a knee injury in the next week or two.
With rotation in goal likely for the FA Cup tie at home against League Two Bromley on Sunday, Dubravka may be freed to leave soon — although with Premier League fixtures against Wolves (January 15) and Bournemouth (January 18), Howe may keep hold of Dubravka for a little longer.
Howe said of the Dubravka reports:
💬 “No, we’re just concentrating on the games. We’ve had a massive game against Tottenham and then a massive game against Arsenal now. There’s no focus on anything other than the matches.”