What Eddie Howe’s Nick Pope update could mean for Martin Dubravka’s Newcastle United future

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Nick Pope has now missed six consecutive Newcastle United games.

The Toon goalkeeper is out of action with a knee problem, and his injury has coincided with Newcastle United finding form.

The Magpies have won six games in a row, with Martin Dubravka, Pope’s replacement, keeping four clean sheets.

Eddie Howe’s side have found it very easy to cope with Nick Pope’s absence, which was not the case last season when he was absent with a shoulder injury.

But Dubravka’s recent form comes at a time when he is being linked with a move away from St James’ Park. There have been rumours of a transfer to Saudi Arabia, while it has even been claimed that Dubravka will leave after the Arsenal game on Tuesday.

However, Howe will surely not sanction Dubravka’s departure without guarantees that Pope will be back to full fitness very soon.

Update on when Nick Pope could return from injury for Newcastle United

Ahead of the Spurs game, Howe provided a positive update on Nick Pope. He said the 32-year-old was back on the grass, and there is now a further update on the England international.

According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope on X, Howe has said that Pope is on track to be fit six weeks after he suffered the injury, which happened during the 4-2 defeat to Brentford on December 7th.

Six weeks after that takes you to January 18th, which is the day that Newcastle United face Bournemouth at home in the Premier League.

Door could be open for Dubravka to leave Newcastle

With Pope possibly only missing three more games through injury, it looks like the door could suddenly be wide open for Dubravka to leave St James’ Park.

It will be down to what the player wants, and it would be understandable if he decided to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere.

The Slovakian is in the final six months of his current Newcastle United contract, and the 35-year-old will not be offered an extension. Dubravka has an offer on the table from Al-Shabab, and it would not be a major surprise if he accepted it.

It would be a shame to see him go given how well he has done in recent weeks, but Pope’s looming return will only result in Dubravka dropping back to the bench, and he needs to look after his own career.

That means being first choice, which is what he would be at Al-Shabab.

With Pope nearing a return, Dubravka departing suddenly feels increasingly likely.