Martin Dubravka admits that Newcastle United's Carabao Cup final goalie crisis could easily be the sinister plot of a movie.
The Slovakia international will cut a frustrated figure from the stands after playing for Manchester United in the competition earlier in the season and will even pick up a winners medal if Newcastle lose after helping the Red Devils on their way to Wembley. Nick Pope is suspended for the Wembley showpiece after his red card against Liverpool, leaving Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie as the only two options for Eddie Howe between the posts.
After making his Newcastle comeback but knowing his run in the team comes to an immediate halt, Dubravka told Chronicle Live: "This could be a movie. It is a very strange situation.
READ MORE: Nick Pope suspended for Carabao Cup final after Liverpool red card leaving Newcastle in trouble
"I can't play for obvious reasons. Nick got the red card. So now it's up to us to prepare the others mentally because that is the most difficult thing, to be mentally ready for it."
Dubravka was not beaten in his 66-minute spell between the sticks against Liverpool but ended up on the losing side. Reflecting on his contributions, he said: "It was difficult circumstances and it is not easy to come on and play against one of the toughest opponents in the world. But I was just trying to be there for the guys when they needed me. I just needed to be focused and do my job. "
One positive is that Dubravka at least has inside knowledge of Man United and can expect some lengthy chats with the Newcastle backroom team this week. Although, he knows the Red Devils might try to counteract this by changing things up at Wembley.
When asked if he had some Man United knowledge to share, Dubravka said: "Yeah. But they probably know that I am here and I know some kind of tactics and information. If they stick with the plan (the one Dubravka knows), who knows? It is hard to say."
Few are better placed than Dubravka to call the final give he has a foot in both camps, and while Newcastle's form has slumped a little in 2023 and Man United are running hot he knows it will be a tight affair.
He said: "It's going to be very close. A final is a special game and it will not be open. Nobody wants to open things up so it will be tactical as well. Let's see."
"It will be interesting to see it. Let's see who will win it, I really hope we can achieve this.
"With Newcastle, the people of the city deserve something after so many years. And it would be absolutely amazing to win something like this."
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