Martin Dubravka expected to face Tottenham despite Slovakia withdrawal

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Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is expected to be fit to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday despite withdrawing from the Slovakia squad.

The 33-year-old withdrew from the national team squad due to illness, but will train with Eddie Howe’s side ahead of their trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

ChronicleLive report that the Magpies number one will miss Slovakia’s friendly against Finland on Tuesday night due to an infection.

Dubravka was not included in Slovakia’s matchday squad for their 2-0 defeat to Norway on Friday night, and head coach Stefan Tarkovic later confirmed the goalkeeper had left the squad due to illness.

The former Sparta Prague man missed the 3-2 defeat against Spurs at St James’ Park back in October which proved to be Steve Bruce’s last game in charge of the Toon Army.

Since being an unused substitute in Eddie Howe’s first game in charge at home to Brentford, Dubravka has started the last 18 games.

Martin Dubravka playing for his future

With PIF set to bolster Howe’s Newcastle squad in the summer, there will be many players wondering where their futures lie.

Newcastle are interested in signing England international Dean Henderson from Manchester United and that could have huge ramifications for Dubravka’s future on Tyneside.

90min report that the man who has been capped 29 times for Slovakia has been told that the club won’t stand in his way this summer if the opportunity to move on materialises.

With nine Premier League games to go, Martin Dubravka will be hoping to prove to Howe that he has the quality to form part of Newcastle’s long-term project.

But with PIFs eyes seemingly focused on Henderson, he potentially faces an uphill struggle in extending his Newcastle career beyond the summer.