Newcastle United set to welcome 'outstanding' player to St James' Park - Eddie Howe's a big fan
Newcastle United will come up against a very familiar face when they host Burnley on Saturday.
Martin Dubravka will face Newcastle United for the first time since leaving in the summer.
The Slovakian spent seven-and-a-half years at Newcastle, making 179 appearances before joining Premier League counterparts Burnley in August.
Dubravka joined the Magpies in January 2018 from Sparta Prague, initially on loan, before completing a permanent move in the following summer after helping Rafa Benitez’s side retain their Premier League status.
He spent four full seasons at Newcastle’s number one before the arrival of Nick Pope in the summer of 2022 prompted him to join Manchester United on loan. But after appearing just twice, Dubravka returned to Tyneside in the January.
The 36-year-old’s temporary move to Old Trafford irked sections of the Newcastle fanbase, but he managed to win them back over.
Martin Dubravka set for St James’ Park return
Dubravka is set to receive a warm reception when he takes to the St James’ Park pitch as an opposition player on Saturday afternoon.
Asked about Dubravka’s return, Eddie Howe said: “He's an unbelievable professional and a very good goalkeeper.
“I think long before I came to the club, he sort of etched his name into legend status really here for what he did for such a long period of time and how dependable and reliable he was for the football club in difficult moments.
“He comes back and I'm sure he'll get a warm welcome from all the supporters. I probably won't get to see him because that's just the nature of my job being hooked away by Lee [head of communications] as soon as the game ends.
“I think he deserves a warm welcome, but when it comes to the game, of course, we have to hope he has a busy afternoon.”
Martin Dubravka turned down January move to help Newcastle United last season
Dubravka was set to leave Newcastle and join Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab in January, however, a knee injury for Pope saw him handed a run in the side.
His inclusion between the sticks coincided with a nine-game winning run, which saw the Magpies climb into the Premier League European places and reach the Carabao Cup final. As a result, Dubravka was convinced to stay and was rewarded with an improved contract.
That, however, did not prevent Howe from recruiting another goalkeeper in the summer and once Aaron Ramsdale joined on a season-long loan from Southampton, Dubravka was given permission to leave.
Howe added: “He was massive for us. I think Nick got injured and Martin came in and the team really benefited, not necessarily from that change, but benefited in that moment from a lot of wins.
“I think we went on a run of eight or nine wins in a row and elevated our league position from one of difficulty to then it gave us the platform to go on and achieve what we did. And played in key games, the Arsenal games in the semi-final.
“I spoke before about what he did before I came to the football club in difficult moments, in relegation battles and he always stood up and made a difference. As I said, I really enjoyed working with him.
“I think he's an outstanding person and goalkeeper, so it would be good to welcome him back, I'm sure, for the supporters because I know he had a special relationship with them and certainly he deserves a warm round of applause.”