Newcastle United star set for sit-down talks over future after making 30 appearances last season

The 35-year-old made 30 appearances last season after Nick Pope missed five months with a dislocated shoulder. Dubravka then represented Slovakia at Euro 2024, playing all four matches as his nation made it to the last 16.

Less than 24 hours after exiting the competition at the hands of England, Newcastle announced the signing of two goalkeepers with Odysseas Vlachodimos joining for an undisclosed fee from Nottingham Forest as part of the Elliot Anderson trade-off, while John Ruddy has penned a one-year contract after leaving Birmingham City.

Including Mark Gillespie, United now have five goalies on their books but Given doesn’t expected Pope to be knocked off his No.1 perch.

“I saw bits of him [Vlachodimos] last year at Forest but I don’t know a lot about him,” said Given. “But again, he wasn’t a regular at Forest so I’d imagine Eddie [Howe] sees him in as a back-up option rather than somebody who is going to be in the first-team. 

“He might go in there and impress everyone and really push Nick Pope for the No.1 jersey but I’d be surprised if that’s the case.

“Of course, John Ruddy has gone in there as well. It looks more like a network of goalkeepers to strengthen that department because obviously Loris [Karius] has left.”

With Pope as first choice, plus Vlachodimos and Ruddy for back-up, there are serious doubts over Dubravka’s future, especially after entering the final year of his contract.

Dubravka has made 163 appearances since joining from Sparta Prague in January 2018 and Given wonders if the time has come for him to leave. Celtic and clubs in the Mddle East are understood to be interest.

Speaking to NewcastleWorld, the Magpies’ legend said: “I don’t know what’s happening with Dubravka and if he’s maybe got ambitions to leave after playing really well last season whilst Nick was out and having a good Euros as well. So he might think it is a good opportunity to go and play at a different club. 

“I don’t know what his situation is. I think he might only have a year left on his contract and he’s maybe looking at the bigger picture from his own personal point of view that on the back of a really good Euros, maybe it’s time to look at his own personal situation.”

Dubravka has already confirmed he plans to hold sit-down talks with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to work out his future.

Given continued: “Eddie might say ‘I really want you to stay and push Nick. You’ll play in all the cup games. It’s a squad game etc’. But if Eddie makes it clear that Nick’s going to play and Martin isn’t then it’s a different conversation.

“If Martin is offered a three or four-year contract somewhere else then that’s something he has to look at himself because he did have a good season when Nick was out. 

“All eyes are on the Euros and Dubravka has done really well in that so I’ll be interested to see what happens. We’re not privy to conversations Martin is going to have with Eddie but in the next few weeks it’ll be clearer for everyone what’s going to happen in that situation.

Shay Given is a brand ambassador for sports betting platform CopyBet. VisitCopyBet.com.