Newcastle news: Dropping Martin Dubravka ‘doesn’t make sense’

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson thinks the decision to offer goalkeeper Martin Dubravka a new contract and then drop him from the starting line-up “is a really strange one”.

Speaking about the decision to BBC Radio Newcastle, Anderson said: “That’s what you get when you sign a new contract – I think he’ll feel disappointed.

“He came in for criticism against Manchester City and I defended him – I didn’t think there was a great deal he could have done for any of them [the goals].

“I think he’ll feel aggrieved and he hasn’t done a great deal wrong, but, it is what is it.

“I know Eddie Howe has been reluctant to say who the number one goalkeeper is, but after the decision [against Nottingham Forest] I think we all know who the number one is.”

When asked if he sees Dubravka starting for the Magpies again this season, Anderson answered: “I don’t think so – unless Nick Pope picks up an injury. I think he’s there for the rest of the season – it’s a really strange one.

“Dubravka has come in and done really, really well, then they offer him a new contract, and then they drop him. It doesn’t make sense.

“They’ve got more goalkeepers than they know what to do with.

“They signed a kid from Nottingham Forest who they obviously don’t fancy at all. He’s never never involved and it wouldn’t surprise me if another goalkeeper comes in the summer.”

Listen to the full clip here