Steve Bruce has calmed fears of Newcastle United fans that Martin Dubravka could depart.
Newcastle United simply cannot sell Martin Dubravka now, after Steve Bruce’s comments about the goalkeeper in the Shields Gazette, otherwise there will be uproar.
The Daily Mail claim that PSG are interested in signing the Newcastle stopper, and concerns have been raised as he hasn’t played in either of the Magpies’ last two friendly matches.
Dubravka did not feature against Preston North End last weekend, and he didn’t travel to Scotland with the rest of the Newcastle squad last night either.
But Bruce has insisted that the Slovakian was not left out for transfer reasons.
“It was always, always going to be the case I was going to use the two goalkeepers,” Bruce said of the goalkeeper, who has been linked with a £12 million move away (Daily Mail).
“He played twice in China, so it was always going to be that we were going to give the two goalkeepers a chance just in case something happened, but he will be playing on Saturday against Saint-Etienne.”
The comments mean that Bruce has basically made it impossible for Newcastle to sell Dubravka, otherwise they risk a huge backlash.
Bruce is already fighting against the tide, and if Dubravka does now depart, he will lose the trust of the fans.
With Bruce fighting to win over the Newcastle supporters, it would be a hammer blow to his popularity at St. James’ Park, which is already low.
The hope is that Bruce is telling the truth and that Dubravka will stick around with Newcastle.
If the Slovakian does stay with the Magpies it will be a boost going into the campaign, as he has proven himself to be a hugely reliable goalkeeper ever since arriving on Tyneside.
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