Newcastle ace urged to leave in January after ‘excellent’ international display

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Martin Dubravka has been urged to leave Premier League high-flyers Newcastle United in the January transfer window with Nick Pope firmly established as Eddie Howe’s number one goalkeeper at St James’ Park. 

Slovakia’s Euro 2024 qualifier away at Portugal was important already – the visitors looking to retain their place as runners-up behind Cristiano Ronaldo and co in Group J – but it meant even more to Martin Dubravka.

Without a single appearance for Newcastle United all season, these monthly international breaks are proving to be welcome respite for the veteran goalkeeper. And Dubravka certainly seized the opportunity to prove that his class remains permanent, making a series of ‘excellent‘ stops as Slovakia ran Portugal close before finding themselves on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline. 

And Robert Vittek, capped over 80 times by Slovakia between 2001 and 2016, believes that Dubravka should use the winter window to get his club career on track should the opportunity present itself.

Martin Dubravka may have to leave Newcastle United

“With his performance against Portugal, he certainly caught the attention of several interesting clubs,” Vittek tells Sport24. “If he doesn’t get an opportunity in Newcastle, I hope he finds a club in the winter where he will play regularly.” 

Dubravka has featured only twice in the Premier League since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, and that includes his ill-fated loan spell at Manchester United. But, even at the age of 34, there will still be plenty of clubs willing to take Dubravka off Eddie Howe’s hands.  

Goalkeepers of his experience and quality will always have their fair share of admirers, particularly after producing Man of the Match performances against Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and co. 

A January departure may be on the cards

“I don’t want to say that it was a bad move (going to Manchester United). Transfers to such clubs happen once in a lifetime and he wanted to try it,” adds Martin Skrtel, the former Liverpool defender.

“However, he left (Newcastle) as the number one and returned as the number two. A goalkeeper with such qualities as he has deserves to play. Whether it will be in Newcastle or somewhere else, I am convinced that the match against Portugal was watched by many agents, coaches and officials, and Martin Dubravka’s name will have been written down in many notebooks.”