Dubravka: Too early to talk on future

Martin Dubravka says it’s “too early” to sit down and talk about his future – as he’s focused on keeping Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Dubravka, signed on loan from Sparta Prague in January, wants to secure a permanent move to St James’s Park, and former United goalkeeper Shay Given has urged the club to tie 29-year-old down on a long-term deal.

But Dubravka – who hasn’t conceded a goal in three appearances at St James’s Park – says it’s not the right time to talk about a move.

Asked if he had had discussions with the club over his future, Dubravka said: “I don’t think that it’s time to speak about it.”

Dubravka, preparing for tomorrow’s game against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, is focused on Newcastle’s remaining games. The club is 12th in the Premier League – seven points above the relegation zone, with seven games left. And United manager Rafa Benitez believes that three or four points could be enough for the club to secure its top-flight status for another season. “You need to stay focused until the last game,” said Dubravka. “I don’t like to say we have one or two more games to stay in the league and be safe.

“Everybody knows that we are not in the best situation and need to fight for it. I want to stay here after the summer, so I need to be focused.”

United were 14th in the league when Dubravka joined on transfer deadline day, along with fellow loanees Kenedy and Islam Slimani.

Newcastle have won all three home games since their arrivals, most recently beating Huddersfield Town 1-0.

Asked about Newcastle’s improving fortunes, Dubrakva said: “It’s a question of hard work on the training pitch.

“Since I signed a loan deal here, we’ve worked hard in training trying to take this attitude on the training ground on to the pitch in games.

“I’m very happy that we could bring this energy, and all these things, from the training ground to the pitch.”

Newcastle could be safe with a number of games to spare, but Dubravka warned: “You can’t think like this. Newcastle deserves to stay in the league. Everybody fights for it.”