Eddie Howe tells current first-choice star it is HIS decision whether he leaves Newcastle in January... despite wanting the 'outstanding' player and 'brilliant professional' to stay
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Eddie Howe has hinted that Newcastle will let Martin Dubravka decide if he wants to leave the club this month, despite him currently being No 1. Mail Sport revealed before Christmas that the hierarchy would allow the Slovakian to make a call on his own future, with an offer on the table from Saudi club Al-Shabab.
![[But the Newcastle boss hinted on Friday that it is up to Martin Dubravka (left) whether he goes]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/12/93707795-14247027-image-a-96_1735905863944.jpg)
With Nick Pope sidelined until the back end of this month with a knee injury, Dubravka has started each of the team’s last five victories and has conceded just one goal. It would appear to be a risk letting him go – especially with the possibility of a Carabao Cup final on the horizon - but Howe says the decision could be left to the 35-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer.
![[Dubravka is currently the Magpies' first-choice goalkeeper with Nick Pope (above) out injured]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/12/93707763-14247027-image-a-97_1735905914288.jpg)
‘The situation with Martin is we would not want him to leave,’ said Howe. ‘But of course you have to respect and understand the player’s wishes. It’s not as clear-cut as everyone would necessarily have you think. Martin is out of contract as well in the summer, so that is a different dynamic to add into the mix.’.
Howe added: ‘Martin is and has been fully committed, I think he’s been outstanding and a brilliant professional to work with. I’ve got a lot of respect for him and I think he’s done really well when you consider he didn’t play a lot of football when coming into the team. Fair to play him and how he’s handled that situation.’.
