Earlier today, it was announced that goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had suffered a knee injury that will keep him out of action for at least the rest of the month.
Though, there was another report that claimed Martin could miss six to eight weeks with his injury.
Dubravka has spoken to nufc.co.uk about the injury, which is his first significant one since joining Newcastle from Sparta Prague over two years ago.
This is what the 31-year-old had to say about missing some games in the coming weeks:
“Obviously I’m not happy, but that’s part of football. Sometimes you get injured and you can’t do much.
“I’m trying to stay positive and calm and trying to get ready as soon as possible, but hopefully, I can be back soon.”
The hope is that Martin will only miss the two remaining games this month. They are this Saturday’s home match against Sheffield United and the FA Cup quarter-final a week later against Manchester City, which is also at St James Park.
Martin went on to express confidence in both Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot to keep the goalkeeping performances at a high level in his absence:
“I was trying to be ready for every game, even if I had small injuries before with my back or with whatever. The people who know me know I want to play every time, even if I’m not 100 per cent.
“Obviously, this is bigger than that, so I can’t play this (Sheffield United) game, but I’m quite confident that my teammates, whether it’s Karl or Rob, will definitely play very well. Now I’m going to support them from the stands.
“They show it on the pitch – Karl has shown it in the cup games – so I’m definitely confident and comfortable with whichever of the keepers will be in goal. I’m going to support them because they provide fantastic support for me as well.
“It means a lot because even Karl came to me the next day and asked how it was. You don’t have that connection always, and I’ve said many times, I’m very grateful for that.
“Obviously, this is a chance for them now but it’s good because we are still not safe, and I’m quite sure that they will show their ability and show their levels.”
Both Darlow and Elliot have had very few chances to play for Newcastle since Dubravka arrived. Martin has started 79 straight league games since his debut against Manchester United in February of 2018.
Darlow and Elliot split time before the Slovakian was brought in. Karl started just 10 Premier League matches and 2 cup ties in our season after our promotion from the Championship.
Elliot began that season as our number one starting the first 13 games. He ultimately finished that campaign with 16 starts, all in the league.
We expect Darlow to get the nod in Dubravka’s absence with Elliot as the backup. Both players are on contracts due to expire this summer, though Karl may have an extra year according to the Shields Gazette’s Miles Starforth.
Update: Understand that Karl Darlow is under contract until 2021. Newcastle never disclosed his original contract length (and club has not revealed any extension) but it had been widely reported that his contract expired this summer. #nufc
— Miles Starforth (@milesstarforth) March 6, 2020
We have faith that both players can get the job done if called upon. While they may not be at the level of Dubravka, Darlow and Elliot have been outstanding servants to the club.
123 comments so far
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:25 PM
Comment #41Dettol is nice in a Banana flavoured milk shake …
toon22
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:25 PM
Comment #42So JIB
When can I expect the club to send round the goons ?
You had the blog hacked to get those IP addresses for a reason
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:28 PM
Comment #43dettol song …
https://youtu.be/h-6NFhGzv7E
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:32 PM
Comment #44https://youtu.be/aHKeL1F1qR8
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Comment #45Geordie Tom
O aye, believe it or not it hurt more trying to wash it off…
Real tears in the eyes.
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:35 PM
Comment #46OP…
bet you never touch the stuff again mate …
😀
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:35 PM
Comment #47TOUCHED*
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:37 PM
Comment #48What time does kindergarten shut?
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:37 PM
Comment #49TOON22 …
SONG FOR YOU …https://youtu.be/XqqNsyHajb0
#cans
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:38 PM
Comment #50Anglo – well it’s better than the usual arguments and slagging off that goes on during the dayshift 😀
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:40 PM
Comment #51this is class …
https://youtu.be/niHzIzvouG4….Auf Wiedersehen Pet…
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:41 PM
Comment #52Ashlies goons going to arrest toon22.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKmpHvOzlxE
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:41 PM
Comment #53Cans don’t know about that, seems the slagging to me is more ADULT.
Just a Fat Neil Warnock
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:42 PM
Comment #54makes a change from the old munster rafa debate at least
🙂
i shouldve have said his name now the rafa debate will enter round 4,613
munster, munster, munster.
Just a Fat Neil Warnock
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:43 PM
Comment #55* shouldn’t have
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:46 PM
Comment #56anglo listen to this and chill out mate …
https://youtu.be/VQfdqIyqJ4g…
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:48 PM
Comment #57Yeh Mike for fk sake don’t mention.
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:49 PM
Comment #58Tom too early for the night shift mate.
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:49 PM
Comment #59dont mention who ? do mean Rafa ?…
😀
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:50 PM
Comment #60bit early for us wrinkly’s …
😉
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:53 PM
Comment #61Tom you must have had a couple of glasses of mouth wash by the sound of you.
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:55 PM
Comment #62Anglo …
knar mate i’m just happy is all , i dont need a drink for me be happy ( or daft ) …
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 4:59 PM
Comment #63Yeh knows what you mean getting that op out the way lot off your mind, been there.
#cans
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:08 PM
Comment #64Robleenio from previous – yup, most of the banks we are working with have implemented a one or two week in office / two weeks working from home, travel bans and no meetings of more than ten people – to be honest it’s a complete pain in the ass for us
#cans
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:19 PM
Comment #65Well the WHO have raised it to a pandemic so I’d expect more action on events with large crowds.
Be interesting what they would do to champions league and relegation / promotion places and how they would decide them. Obviously wouldn’t affect toon much either way
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:21 PM
Comment #66anglo sorry mate i was called off the boss . but yeah your right about the op mate , she’s doing good she must be getting better she’s barking her orders out …
😀
beermonkey
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:23 PM
Comment #67toon22
how do you know jib has had the blog hacked
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:23 PM
Comment #68https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/coronavirus-confirmed-as-pandemic-by-world-health-organization.html
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:28 PM
Comment #69https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/03/11/saint-maximin-posts-hilarious-training-ground-video-of-jamaal-lascelles-watch-it-here/…
bit of a bromance going on here …
😉
Asi Fish
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:29 PM
Comment #70I’ve been through 4 countries and up & down the UK over the last couple of weeks.
I’m meeting friends tomorrow who have travelled back from India, Algeria & Europe.
Most of the unit here is on high readiness alert and constantly travel.
Be interesting to see what restrictions are implemented on the forces.
Maybe that’s why they pumped is with so many vaccinations and tablets in the past…..
#cans
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Comment #71beermonkey – jib said his security mate gave him a list of IP addresses and he looked up that toon22 and mrtuff were the same person 😀 😀
Obviously the only way you could do this is to hack the blogs server and run some analysis of ips against posts
Obviously he was pulled up about it so he made some more bollocks up then did his usual of changing subject completely
Obviously he was talking out his arse but toon22 won’t let it go
Personally I thought it was pretty bad taste after what happened to Genji but heyho
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Comment #72Now let’s just get something straight here.
I am more than happy to keep my bog roll stockpile until it’s worth millions, I’m more than happy to walk more dogs to keep the coffers growing further, when I have enough the blog consortium will but the club.
But killing off bloggers, I would never…….well maybe one or two……..just the bad ones………..the really bad ones.
Mister Tuff
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Comment #73Quite a few commentators saying this coronavirus to take off big style. Suppose it they are right we’ll soon see substantial increases in the numbers who are positive.
The MP Dorries – she must have had contact with hundreds of people in the last few days. Despite the blackout on the Government not publishing now where the contacts were made, the press will be all over her case so we might understand a bit more.
The public I think want to know areas that are “hotspots” ie places to avoid.
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:31 PM
Comment #74Buy not but
beermonkey
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:33 PM
Comment #75cans
what happened to Genji
Asi Fish
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:38 PM
Comment #76Flipping heck, there are more experts in this pub….likening it to The Walking Dead, saying we should all move to Africa, people coming back from Italy with no screening….
#peoplewatching
Asi Fish
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:43 PM
Comment #77Sh*t the bed, there is now comparisons to Resident Evil & Umbella Corp and others on about power plants melting due to lack of expert maintenance…..
These are the people panic buying but then coming to a crowded pub to discuss it!!!!
Socks are the new bog roll by the way
hibbit
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:43 PM
Comment #78beermonkey
he had a visit from the mr plod instigated by the club,
toon22
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:44 PM
Comment #79Cans
I wouldn’t put it past the club to do such a thing
I don’t post with any alt, you can check back to when the blog started and find my gravatar
toon22
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:45 PM
Comment #80Yeh they tracked him down through social media
Said they wanted to talk
Sent round the rozzaz instead