Eddie Howe has hinted that Martin Dubravka could face Sheffield Wednesday on FA Cup third round day.
The Slovakia international is back from his loan stint with Manchester United after asking for his recall clause to be activated. The Toon stopper was restricted to just two matches in the League Cup for the Red Devils.
Howe must ponder whether to rest Nick Pope ahead of a busy schedule, which includes a season defining quarter-final against Leicester early next week in the League Cup.
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When asked about Dubravka today, Howe said: "Martin looks fine. "In the very brief bits of training we’ve seen of him, because he’s only just come back from Manchester United, he’s done very well. So yeah, he’s fine to play."
Dubravka's return though also means that there is likely to be a departure in the goalkeeping department,. Howe is working closely with his keeper coach Adam Bartlett to decide what happens next.
One tweak with the goalies occurred yesterday as Dan Langley's loan with Gateshead was scrapped and the Academy product was sent to Spennymoor for extra game time.
But Howe still has Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie on the books and a decision pending on Loris Karius. He said today: "That’s (the goalkeeping situation) something we need to decide as the window unfolds. "Martin’s return, which was slightly unexpected, gives us a top-heavy goalkeeping department in terms of numbers, so let’s see what happens with them."
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