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Martin Dubravka – Exact details of injury now reported and estimated time out

3 years ago
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A freak pre-season injury for Martin Dubravka in summer 2020 led to the goalkeeper having to be ruled out of the first 14 Premeir League matches of the 2020/21 season.

Newcastle’s number one then finding himself having to wait another 11 PL games on the bench, before Steve Bruce belatedly accepting that he’d left it far too late as Karl Darlow’s early season form had seriously tailed off.

Martin Dubravka bringing instant improvement and enhanced confidence to the defence, Newcastle only losing three of the final 13 PL matches with the Slovakian back in the team. United picking up 20 of the final 45 points total in the 13 Martin Dubravka matches.

Now history repeating itself, still no official comment from the club (which is the usual on pretty much everything) on the new Martin Dubravka injury, though the fact Freddie Woodman had his loan move to Bournemouth cancelled at the last minute this week after completing a medical, was clear evidence backing up the widespread media reporting on the latest Dubravka injury.

Ironic that from making his man of the match debut in the win over Man Utd in February 2018, Martin Dubravka made 88 consecutive Premier League starts for Newcastle United, yet now is picking up yet another seemingly freak injury.

An update from The Mail has now reported more detail on the foot injury, they say their sources have told them that it is believed to be a broken metatarsal.

As for how long he will be missing, the newspaper’s sources say that it is believed the end of August at the earliest before Martin Dubravka could be available.

This is how the Premier League fixtures early on look…

Newcastle United August and September 2021 Premier League confirmed schedule:

Sunday 15 August 2pm – West Ham home (Sky Sports)

Saturday 21 August 3pm – Aston Villa home

Saturday 28 August 3pm – Southampton home

Saturday 11 September 3pm – Man Utd away

Friday 17 September 8pm – Leeds home (Sky Sports)

Saturday 25 September 3pm – Watford away

At best, we are looking at Martin Dubravka missing the opening three Premier League games. With it surely making sense that even if he was a possibility for that Southampton match on 28 August, to instead give it that extra couple of weeks with an international break that follows this home game.

However, we also have to accept that expected recovery times aren’t always set in stone. Last year a prime example when Dubravka’s return to full fitness was hit by setbacks and a couple of months later than initially predicted.

My vote would be for Freddie Woodman to be given the opportunity to play in Dubravka’s absence ahead of Karl Darlow.

Before that decision has to be made, NUFC have half a dozen friendlies to help make the choice for West Ham on the opening day of the season – only four weeks from now.

Newcastle United pre-season friendlies:

Sunday 18 July – York City away (2pm)

Sunday 18 July Harrogate Town away(2pm)

Friday 23 July – Doncaster Rovers away (7pm)

Tuesday 27 July – Rotherham United away (7pm)

Friday 30 July – Burton Albion away (7.45pm)

Saturday 7 August – Norwich home (2pm)

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