Eddie Howe's goalkeeping situation is still undecided heading into the Magpies' last two pre-season matches of the summer against Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao.
It remains to be seen whether Martin Dubravka plays this weekend after the keeper suffered from a minor injury in Portugal. But one thing is for sure, and that is Dubravka is unlikely to accept being the back-up goalie to Nick Pope this season.
The 33-year-old's agent made it clear that he will look for a move for Dubravka if he does not start the season and claimed there was interest from the Premier League and around Europe for his services. Fans are divided on who should start the season between Pope and Dubravka.
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The other factor to consider is Karl Darlow's situation with the former Nottingham Forest keeper also keen to play. But should Dubravka be sold, Darlow would then be left in a battle with Pope and the question of losing such a star performer like the Sparta Prague man would be likely to arise.
Darlow and Pope shared goalkeeping duties at the weekend and will do so again if Dubravka sits out. Pope has made some fine saves in pre-season but whether the time is right to move on from Dubravka is up for debate.
For now the keeper is injured and Howe said: "Martin’s got a sprained wrist from fielding a ball at close range. "We don’t think it’s too serious."
One top-flight club that are on the look out for an experienced goalie are Leicester City who are about to part company with Kasper Schmeichel. The Denmark star will join Nice once the Foxes have found a replacement.
But it remains unclear whether Dubravka is on their shortlist at the moment. Howe stated earlier this year that Dubravka was not for sale.
A club known to have interest in Dubravka is Manchester United with Newcastle linked with a swap deal with Dean Henderson for the Slovakian keeper earlier in the year. Back then Howe said: "There was absolutely no truth in Martin Dubravka being offered to Manchester United from our side.
"That is - absolutely - not the truth."
Henderson has ended up at Forest but whether Howe can keep both Dubravka and Pope happy and settled remains to be seen.
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