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
toon22
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:46 PM
Comment #81You will also find it’s JIB who keeps bringing it up so I don’t mind doing it too
It’s never Jabbas fault
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:51 PM
Comment #82Toon22 see fat ash lost another case against debs solicitors fees must be astronomical.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:52 PM
Comment #83Remember the cruise ship over a month ago? 3.5k people trapped onboard with the virus?
So, despite the congestion not everybody caught it. The contagion rate was low considering.
They’re all home now and recovering or recovered. The death rate was 0.84. Similar to South Korea, who’ve tested tens of thousands, most who recovered after showing minor symptoms and the death rate of 0.76.
To catch it you need to come into contact with someone who has it, then it has to get into your body.
Wash your hands etc, don’t touch your face – eyes, nose, mouth.
Anyway, my tickets for City arrived this morning so I hope I get to see the game. I’m going Saturday and will be taking adequate precautions. I fully expect to survive.
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:53 PM
Comment #84i was talking to my next door neighbour this morning he’s an Asian guy , he said when he goes shopping with his wife when they get back they are washing their clothes and putting clean one’s on because of this virus he’s got 2 kids one is 4 the other one is 5 months old they are doing the same with the kids whenever they go anywhere , me i think that’s a bit OTT . also we ran out of toilet roll couldn’t get any anywhere were we live is a Asian Community most of my neighbours are Asian , told Ali about the toilet roll he said go to Pak Stores big Asian supermarket , well blow me down they had loads in the shop , we are a bit lucky we have two Asian supermarkets on our door step they dont seem to run out of stuff …
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:54 PM
Comment #85Bob can I touch my dick mate no good at free-wheeling at the toilet.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:58 PM
Comment #86Tom, in the Western world, nobody under the age of 18 has died yet. It hits the old more than the young. The mean age of the deaths in Italy is 81.
Those who have died are now rising from their graves so they’ve started to cremate them. The end of the world is nigh. Dooooomed I tell ye, we’re all doomed. 😀
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 5:59 PM
Comment #87Anglo, yeah, but wash your hands ffs 😀
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:02 PM
Comment #88If I died of something named after a light beer I wouldn’t rest in peace.
I’d be haunting someone.
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:04 PM
Comment #89Alays do bob but when you use toilets in the likes of Tesco or other, the number of people who don’t is amazing, use my coat to pull the door open.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:05 PM
Comment #90OP, remember the Broon Ale virus? When you caught that you flew into a rage, argued with everyone and then sh*t through the eye of a needle. Corona? Pwah! 😀
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:05 PM
Comment #91Bobby …
you have to admit it is a worry i’m 66 have a low immune system so yeah i’m a bit worried plus i’m off on a cruise in 5 and a half weeks time but like you said not everyone gets it mate …
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:07 PM
Comment #92escalators anther doggy area.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:07 PM
Comment #93Bobby
Had the Exhibition virus too, similar symptoms.
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:07 PM
Comment #94Bobby …
i never had the Broon Ale virus i had the Snake Bite Virus which was worse …
😀
beermonkey
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:08 PM
Comment #95cans
i know Genji if mem serves me is a nust member and i know he has had some banners on tv
seems a bit harsh
or have i missed something else
thanks
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:08 PM
Comment #96Tbh Tom, I don’t think there’ll be cruises in five weeks the way the panic is spreading. They’ve already cancelled a few in the states. I’d be asking about the situation re refunds if it is cancelled. Get in there, early.
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:09 PM
Comment #97Anglo …
snap mate i always use my coat when opening or closing toilet doors in shops …
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:09 PM
Comment #98wife spilt tea on laptop keys sticking. need to clean.
geordietom
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:10 PM
Comment #99Bobby …
we have to go pick our tickets up tomorrow from the travel agents gonna ask them then …
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:11 PM
Comment #100If they cancel the season in the next week I’m going to claim the FA cup for Nufc.
We haven’t been beaten so its ours, we won it, I said it first.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:13 PM
Comment #101I’ll have my dog with me when my statue is built please.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:15 PM
Comment #102Anglo, wear gloves and avoid touching railings etc. It’s really not that easy to catch if you take precautions. If someone with it sneezes or coughs on you, that’s different, but if it spread that easy we’d all have it. We don’t have the poor air quality like in Wuhan and other major Chinese cities. I can see the panic being a bigger problem myself.
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:15 PM
Comment #103Coronavirus confirmed as pandemic by World Health Organization 1 hr ago.
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:16 PM
Comment #104Think this statement is a game-changer.
Tramp
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:17 PM
Comment #105The lab I work in (UK) we are currently processing around 15 (rising) patient samples a day for COVID-19. Area population 100-200K. Mostly community but also intensive care patients and some other inpatients. I won’t give any further data (number of negatives/positives) due to data protection but I feel this could be useful for some to know.
I think it’s important to make people aware, coronavirus is not new. COVID-19 is new as in, it hasn’t been broadly
studied or researched. Genetic mutations are always occurring with viruses and that’s why coronavirus is a FAMILY of viruses. They are all different mutations of the same family. Some of these mutations you will have heard of, MERS virus, SARS virus and now COVID-19. They all are different mutations and as such behave in different ways.
There’s no conspiracy here.
As someone who is handling patient samples for COVID-19 daily I feel it’s necessary to say, there is no reason to panic but there is a reason to protect yourself and subsequently friends/patients/the public.
Flu kills every year and most of the time it is friends and family who are the point of transmission, those that spend most time with each other. If you have elderly, immunocompromised friends/relatives, those with respiratory disorders or if you work in a field where you are exposed to these patients then it is your duty to do everything you can to best follow the advice of the NHS, WHO, CDC etc. NOT SOCIAL MEDIA.
Importantly, never take advice from anybody on a blog, me included or any social media without checking the accuracy of this information through a trusted source.
No need to panic, but every reason to be cautious to protect yourself or loved ones and the community, in my opinion.
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:18 PM
Comment #106Bob like you I have health issues squeaky bum time for us mate.
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:21 PM
Comment #107Cheers Tramp pure common sense mate appreciated.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:22 PM
Comment #108Tramp, exactly. That’s why I did my own deep dive research and got the figures. Put them out there and people can make of it what they will. Doing your own research isn’t that difficult after all and far more, reliable than the MSM who are intent on causing panic for their own agendas.
I’m this day and age there’s no need to rely on others – research yourself.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:29 PM
Comment #109Anglo, the flu could kill us tomorrow mate, no point worrying about what might happen. With adequate precautions you can vastly reduce the chances of contracting it.
I’ve done my own research and can’t understand why people, don’t do their own.
In a way I’m lucky – odd kind of luck like – I have time on my hands and don’t believe anything I hear on the news without checking it out. It’s not difficult, we all have a device we use here and that’s all you need – and a bit of time.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:31 PM
Comment #110Jib will be fine, he’s on here 24/7 no way he has a social life.
lochinvar
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:34 PM
Comment #111Hadrian’s Wall was built to keep the English in, not the Picts out.
Cornonavirus masks are worn by those who need to keep the virus in, not let it out.
League Two was created to keep the Mackems in. League One to keep them out of the Premier League.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:35 PM
Comment #112Right now, with a population of 75m, the percentage who have it is miniscule. It will increase if people aren’t aware but just commonsense can help you avoid it. And if you get it, are young and healthy, you’ll probably beat it without breaking into too much of a sweat. No pun intended.
We are vulnerable to it mate, but that comes with age unfortunately. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had flu. Touch wood! The panic is the bigger issue and frankly, some of those in power are not really helping it. Right now, there’s no need to panic,just be careful.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:40 PM
Comment #113So, Sheff Utd Saturday. Really looking forward to it myself. I’m liking the new set up and the more we use it, the better we’ll get.
We will miss Dubs like, he’s been a colossus between the sticks, but Darlow can always be believed in. Ouch. Chance to complete another double although tbf, they’re a good side. Won’t be a gimme by a long shot. They’ll come here expecting revenge imo so it will be nice to disappoint them.
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:43 PM
Comment #114Told the wife shopping late at night if not middle of night escape the large crowds.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:45 PM
Comment #115Won’t be surprised to see Joelington back up front. We created enough chances for Dwight, he just struggles in this league. Maybe give Muto a game? Can he score less than the other two? No.
Still, nine games left and already pretty safe. Nobody saw that in August.
Mister Tuff
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:45 PM
Comment #116There were over 500 folk who caught the virus on the Diamond Princess – out of 3,500.
Tiny Tom – whilst checking some virus stuff on Google the first item of the search was :-
“Norovirus is also known as Norwalk virus, or “the cruise ship virus,” because of the multiple outbreaks that have occurred on cruise ships. Aug 27 2019
Reference: http://www.verywellhealth.com/norovirus-the-cruise-ship-virus-770290...”
Man you need to seriously consider your vacation.
Bobbybee
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:46 PM
Comment #117Shop online Anglo, reduce the risk even further that way.
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:47 PM
Comment #118Do they still do tyne cruises?
Anglo Saxon
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:48 PM
Comment #119Yeh thinking about that bob might give it a go.
Mister Tuff
Mar 11, 2020 at 6:49 PM
Comment #120Obviously noro and coronavirus are different but it seems cruise ships are the worst possible place for vulnerable folk to be.