Toon will be sweating on goalkeeper...who will be sweating
NEWCASTLE United’s on- loan goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka is facing a tough international break after being called up by Slovakia.
The in-form stopper is facing an 11-hour flight from eastern Europe to Thailand to face the United Arab Emirates on March 22 and the winners of Thailand or Gabon later in that week before making the long trek back. By the time Dubravka returns he will have clocked up 11,600 air miles.
Slovakia find themselves involved in the King’s Cup in Bangkok and United will be hoping the Sparta Prague goalkeeper, who is set to join Newcastle at the end of the season, returns from Thailand unscathed.
The two matches will also be played in humid temperatures of up to 35 degrees, the international break coming at an awkward time for the Magpies and their rivals who are embroiled in a relegation battle.
United pair Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles were both left out of the England squad while Paul Dummett and Karl Darlow were wanted by Wales during the international break but have opted against call-ups.
Newcastle jetted out to Spain yesterday for a four-day training camp with Dubravka among the travelling party.
He is likely to share goalkeeping duties with Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot for Newcastle’s 135-minute match against Royal Antwerp.