I want to make this permanent

DUBRAVKA DETERMINED TO IMPRESS TOON BOSS

MARTIN Dubravka insists he still has a “lot to play for” as he continues his quest to earn a permanent move to Newcastle United.

The 29-year-old has impressed on Tyneside since first moving to St James’ Park on an initial half-season loan deal from Sparta Prague in January.

Newcastle already appear highly likely to active the £4million option-to-buy clause in Dubravka’s contract this summer, though the Slovakia international is not about to leave anything to chance.

Instead, during the Magpies’ final two matches of the season against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Wednesday and then against Chelsea at St James’ Park on Sunday, Dubravka is looking to produce a similar performance to the one which earned him man of the match at Vicarage Road.

“For me, of course, I have a lot to play for because we have two games left and I want to show myself,” Dubravka told nufcTV when asked if he was still keen on securing a permanent move to St James’ Park.

“I want to still fight for every point, I want to still fight for my team-mates, and it’s important we have this same attitude and keep fighting.”

Dubravka has made 10 appearances for United so far and has kept three clean sheets, but the goalkeeper’s shot-stopping ability is not the only attribute he has brought to the Newcastle side.

He has given the Magpies a whole new dimension with his ballplaying ability, while his selfbelief and communication skills also inspire confidence in his team-mates.

During the 2-1 defeat at Watford on Saturday, Dubravka kept the Magpies in the game during the first half producing a string of excellent saves, including thwarting Troy Deeney from both the penalty spot and then the striker’s attempted follow up. “I’m trying to help the guys, because if we had conceded another one then it would have been very difficult for us,” Dubravka said of his penalty save against Watford. “I was just trying to stay on my feet and react, so I’m happy I saved it, but unfortunately we still lost the game. “I was just trying to do what is normal for me and what I do in training with the goalkeeper coach and the players. “I’m in the goal to help the guys when they need me, so I’m happy I helped them at Watford, but it was not enough unfortunately.”

I want to still fight for every point, I want to still fight for my team-mates... Martin Dubravka