Newcastle United need to make space in their Premier League squad if they’re going to sign any more players this summer.
Despite getting rid of a lot of deadwood, Steve Bruce still has a bloated squad at his disposal.
On top of that, he also has a problem with his goalkeepers.
Martin Dubravka hasn’t featured since Euro 2020 due to injury, while Karl Darlow is still suffering the aftereffects of catching COVID.
Initially Freddie Woodman was set to join Bournemouth on loan, but that deal was cancelled.
Now the 24-year-old is Newcastle’s first choice, and it looks like he could be for a little while longer.
Darlow still isn’t ready to return, while there is also an update on Dubravka’s fitness.
According to Bruce, the Slovakian will miss another eight weeks of action.
That’s a huge blow for Dubravka, who is Newcastle’s true number one and our best goalkeeper by a long way.
There have been suggestions that Bruce could name four goalkeepers in his 25-man Premier League squad, which is far from ideal.
If there were no injury concerns, Woodman would be out on loan now and there would be an extra space to register an outfield player.
But Dubravka’s latest setback could make things easier for Bruce.
If this foot problem rules him out for another two months, is it worth including the 32-year-old in the squad for the first half of the season?
While he is a top goalkeeper, we desperately need space to bring in at least one more player. Our squad is no better than it was last season, where a late push saw us move away from the relegation zone.
Despite his talents, a lot of supporters believe Dubravka should be excluded from the squad.
Fans don’t believe Martin Dubravka should be in Newastle United’s Premier League squad
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
