Martin Dubravka has given us Toon fans some positive news during this crisis as he reveals he is nearing full fitness – also sharing his top 3 saves of 2019/20.
The Slovakian suffered knee ligament damage in the 1-0 win at Southampton on March 7th – something which left many fearing we’d be without this season’s star player for the Premier League run in and FA Cup quarter final.
Just a month later, however, Dubravka says the injury wasn’t as bad as many feared and he is almost ready to return to action.
Speaking to Sky Sports Keith Downie, he said the following after confirming he’s all but back to full fitness:
“It wasn’t a serious injury so I only needed a few weeks to recover.
It might take a little longer as I have been doing my rehab away from the club and by myself.
“Some of my team-mates make the joke that the lockdown is all because of me, because I didn’t want to miss any games and I want to be back out on the pitch.”
“At the same time though we know how difficult it is for all the people around the world and the pandemic is the most important thing of all.
“We want people to be safe. But for me personally what’s happened has given me more time to recover.”
Dubravka says he’s also been ticking over his fitness with his wife at home, adopting her as a makeshift personal trainer amid the global crisis.
He also told Sky what he believes are his best three saves so far this season, with there being plenty to choose from as he has made more than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League!
3. Wolves away in January, from Raul Jimenez
“This one was a reaction with my leg. A cross from Traore on the right and I had to react from 2-3 yards, I think it was Jimenez or Neves, I can’t really remember as it happened so quick.
“I think that laid a platform for the team to go on and take a point. I love the saves that help us achieve something.”
2. Scott Dann header in the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in February.
“It was a corner from the left side, and header but don’t know who from.
“I managed to get it over the crossbar. It happened very fast.”
1. A save from Gary Cahill in the same match.
“It was a great header from Cahill I have to say, it stuck in the air and I had to really reach far.
“One of the best I’ve ever had in my career, probably my best save in my time at Newcastle.
“Sometimes you are so focused you don’t know how you made the save. Sometimes my teammates ask me after a game how I made a certain save and I can never answer them because you are so focused in the moment you can’t remember.”
You just knew the Cahill moment was going to be on there before he names his three – what a save it was!
If and when the season commences, us Toon fans will breathe a lot easier at the thought of Dubravka being between the sticks!
