Martin Dubravka set to stay as Newcastle United goalkeeper moves to Swansea on loan – Sky Sports

Concerns regarding Martin Dubravka potentially leaving Newcastle United appear to have eased on Thursday morning.

The first choice keeper has only played in one of the four friendlies so far, with a backdrop of headlines claiming clubs home and abroad are interested in signing him.

Steve Bruce had stated there was nothing ‘sinister’ in Martin Dubravka not even being in the squad for the games against Wolves, Preston and Hibernian, the Head Coach insisting that the Slovakian will definitely play on Saturday against St Etienne.

It is Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman who have had the most minutes (full list below) on the pitch in pre-season, with 135 minutes each, whilst Martin Dubravka has just the 90 (full game in 1-0 win over West Ham).

However, Sky Sports have now announced that Freddie Woodman has agreed to a year on loan at Swansea City.

This seems to rule out Martin Dubravka leaving, unless Mike Ashley does something really really mad in this final week of the transfer window.

As for Woodman, he desperately needs first team football and Swansea must surely have indicated he will stand every chance of getting that when agreeing the loan. The 22 year will definitely benefit from the step up to Championship level, after previous loans in League Two and the Scottish Premier.

It is also reported that Freddie Woodman has at the same time extended his Newcastle United contract by a year, now tied to NUFC until end of June 2021.

Minutes played in first team pre-season friendlies so far, 27 Newcastle players featuring in the first four games:

27 Allan

27 Bailey

32 Watts

72 Sorensen

75 Lazaar

90 Dubravka

97 Longstaff (M)

114 Almiron

114 Joelinton

116 Dummett

132 Longstaff (S)

135 Darlow

135 Woodman

148 Sterry

151 Ki

167 Clark

168 Aarons

174 Murphy

178 Ritchie

186 Colback

193 Fernandez

207 Muto

212 Manquillo

212 Schar

258 Shelvey

270 Hayden

270 Lascelles