Eddie Howe is hoping for a positive resolution to Newcastle United's ongoing discussions with Martin Dubravka this week. Reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that Dubravka's proposed move to Al-Shabab has fallen through, and Howe - who confirmed the commencement of talks for a new contract - is now seeking a "successful outcome" to negotiations aimed at offering the 35 year old an improved deal. Chronicle Live readers are keen to see him stay.

Dubravka, who has been in top form recently, has played a significant role in the Magpies' seven-match winning run across all competitions.

Al-Shabab believed they had secured a deal for the ex-Sparta Prague player, but their aspirations have taken a hit. Despite seeming to bid farewell at Arsenal, Howe insisted that he remains very much a part of Newcastle.

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During his press conference, Howe stated: "Nothing has changed, I have no updates to give you. It is business as usual for Martin. I think Martin has been in a difficult situation, any player that is coming out of contract. He naturally wants a conclusion to his contract Hopefully, we can come to some type of agreement with him.

"Martin has never said he wants to leave. "I know how much Newcastle means to him. He's been a very, very good professional for us. It's difficult when Nick is playing and Martin isn't. He had to stay ready."

The importance of retaining Dubravka is underscored by the fact that Nick Pope will not be available for the upcoming set of matches.

Commenter Franksy thinks: “We have five keepers, all in their thirties, in our 25-man squad (personally I would have included Hayden for his versatility rather than a fifth keeper). I feel at least one keeper needs to go either in this transfer window or in the summer. Ruddy and Gillespie probably don’t cost too much in wages so I have no issue in them staying, but I think Vlachodimos is a higher standard (and probably higher salary) than required for a third choice, especially when money is tight due to PSR. We also have several outfield players in their thirties, many of them on big salaries and rarely playing, which not only costs us a lot of money but potentially blocks the pathway of promising young players coming through the academy. We have several positions where the first choice is of a high quality but the back-up is a big drop off, and I don’t see that changing until we have a younger squad and a subs bench with improving players who still have their best days ahead of them and are hungry to take their chance when it comes.”

Petrus replies: “The keeper situation (although needed) can wait until summer. We are top heavy and at least 2 should be sold to help bring in a real number 1. There are more pressing positions that need sorting out and another striker, midfielder winger and right sided CB would be great to add to the good players we have and boost the squad to reach a cup final.”

UClaudius adds: “I know it's easy to say "how do you keep 3 keepers happy earning thousands a week, when there's little chance they'll play?" But despite the jiggery pokery needed to keep within the nonsense PSR limit, it did seem strange that we got so many in and retained the ones we had. Personally I'd question the hunger and desire of any player who'd rather coin it in for a few training sessions a week, instead of angling for a move where they'd actually play.”

Jonnythebrave says: “I think at 36, he won't fetch much of a fee and so letting him go, would be allowing a top keeper to leave with a few mil in our pockets. It would make sense to give him another year and a half, that is if he agrees to being number two but even then, I think he has done enough to make Pope fight for his place back!”

Fredo replies: “Forget about age, it’s performance that truly matters. How many clean sheets he had kept against top teams. Pope is also good but less mature and tends to make more mistakes. Having both would be a good balance considering the number of games potentially to be played next season”

Howayman1892 adds: “If someone teaches Nick Pope how to kick the ball we'd have a top goalkeeper on our hands and a possible England number 1.”

BigMan2022 agrees: “I hope he stays. But he needs more games. It is not enough to play him only when Pope is out. Give him the cup matches outright. He’s good enough to still do a brilliant job for us.”

nufc555 thinks: "Dubs been absolutely brilliant since he came back in the team. If he stays he deserves to be in goal he’s a top keeper."

Where do you see the talks going from here? Would you like to see Dubravka stay? Have your say in our comments section.