£40k-a-week Newcastle player is now ill before AC Milan game, 30-year-old put on standby

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Newcastle United have a fresh fitness concern on the day of their biggest game of the season, as they prepare to take on AC Milan in a Champions League decider.

The Magpies already have plenty of injury issues, with Nick Pope missing out after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Martin Dubravka has taken his place, but received criticism for his most recent performance against Tottenham Hotspur.

The 34-year-old was then not seen in training ahead of the Champions League game against AC Milan, while Eddie Howe was unable to confirm whether or not the goalkeeper will be available for the crucial match at St James’ Park.

Now the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has provided an update on the situation, as Newcastle look to keep their Champions League dream alive – potentially with their third-choice goalkeeper playing just his second ever game for the club.

Martin Dubravka ‘struggling with illness’ ahead of AC Milan

Journalist Craig Hope has taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) to provide an update on the Martin Dubravka situation. He states that he is struggling with illness at the moment, as Newcastle prepare to make a decision.

Hope added that if Dubravka is unavailable, Loris Karius is on standby to come into the side.

He wrote: “Understand Martin Dubravka has been struggling with illness & NUFC will check on his fitness today. Loris Karius on standby.”

Loris Karius braced for his second ever Newcastle appearance

Nothing is ever straightforward for Newcastle United. It is bad enough that Pope is injured, but now his deputy is in doubt for the club’s biggest game of the season so far.

Newcastle need to beat AC Milan to have any hope of qualifying for the next round, and the goalkeeping uncertainty is far from ideal preparation.

If Dubravka, who earns £40,000-a-week at St James’ Park, is not passed fit, it will be Karius who comes into the side. Yes, the same Loris Karius whose only Newcastle appearance came in the Carabao Cup final earlier this year.

The 30-year-old was unable to help the Magpies end their trophy drought, but he certainly did himself justice at Wembley. If he is selected to start tonight, he will get a huge amount of support from the Toon Army.

Fans will absolutely back Karius if he starts against AC Milan, just like they did when it was the Carabao Cup final.

But just imagine only playing twice for one club, but the games being a cup final at Wembley and a Champions League decider…