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Newcastle United make Martin Dubravka wish clear in America TV interview after transfer twist

Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Eddie Howe 'hopes' Martin Dubravka will stay at Newcastle United.

Dubravka, who has a lucrative offer from Al-Shabab on the table, cut an emotional figure following Newcastle's 2-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday night after the goalkeeper stayed out a little longer in front of the away end. As 6,000 Geordies sang his name, a tearful Dubravka applauded the supporters back, tapped his chest, made a love heart sign with his gloves and gave them a wave.

It looked like a farewell, but Howe does not want to lose Dubravka, who has entered the final months of his contract. Although Howe has previously spoken about respecting Dubravka's wishes, having done so with Jonjo Shelvey and Chris Wood in previous mid-season windows, the Newcastle boss will attempt to convince the 35-year-old to stay.

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"I certainly hope so," Howe told CBS Sports when asked if Dubravka would still be at Newcastle by the time the second-leg rolls around next month. "Let's wait and see."

Nick Pope is on track with his recovery from a serious knee injury, and could even return next week, but Howe understandably wants to keep Dubravka around. Dubravka, after all, has only conceded two goals in eight games this season - keeping six clean sheets in the process - and the Slovakia international has saved all but one of the eight shots on target he has faced in the Premier League this season.

Newcastle have plenty of goalkeepers in reserve, but Greece number one Odysseas Vlachodimos has only made a solitary substitute appearance for the club; veteran John Ruddy has yet to feature; and Mark Gillespie has not played a competitive game for the first team since 2020.