Dubravka will be back in goal at Emirates
MARTIN Dubravka will make his comeback for Newcastle United in their FA Cup third-round tie at Arsenal tonight.
The Slovakian international has been missing in action since July before he went on to suffer a heel injury in pre-season.
Understudy Karl Darlow has been outstanding between the posts but will be rested against the Gunners, handing Dubravka his opportunity again.
Steve Bruce, speaking at his pre-match press conference yesterday, said: “Martin will play.
“It is the ideal game for him. How fortunate we are in that area.
“We all understand what Martin has done in his Newcastle career and now Karl has grasped that opportunity too.
“The competition is good so we welcome back Martin.”
Bruce will also hand some of his fringe players a chance, while youngster Elliot Anderson is also in the running for a debut.
He added: “There are some players who need to play.
“I am disappointed we have reached two cup quarter-finals and not gone past them.
“I have treated the cups as seriously as I could.
“Yes, there will be a few changes at the Emirates but we will treat the competition with the respect it deserves.”
Meanwhile, Bruce has confirmed Allan Saint-Maximin is back in the UK after a winter break in France.
The former Nice winger suffered from Covid before Christmas and has not played since November in the Premier League.
Saint-Maximin will now be assessed but must wait to be given the green light from club doctor Paul Catterson.
Bruce said: “Allan is back in the country so we are waiting for the green light.
“I am no doctor but there are so many symptoms, even when it has left you it causes problems.
“Other clubs are struggling with Covid and the whole country is.
“We are no different to anybody else.”