Eddie Howe says Martin Dubravka is still a doubt for tomorrow's FA Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers

Loris Karius may get the opportunity to double last season's appearance total by deputising for Martin Dubravka again in the game against Blackburn Rovers.

The German stopper was thrown into a pit of fire at the weekend when Martin Dubravka withdrew from the squad with illness before the team travelled to London to kind of half turn up to take on Arsenal.

We all know how that turned out, but despite leaking four goals Loris Karius did himself proud making some top-quality stops to keep the score relatively low and I stand by my opinion that he could have done very little to prevent any Arsenal's goals, the blame instead falls to the defenders in front of him.

Martin Dubravka is feeling better but still a doubt for tomorrow

During Eddie Howe's pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of Tuesday night's FA Cup clash with Championship side Blackburn, the gaffer said that Dubravka still has not recovered and is a doubt for the game.

Howe said that Dubravka has improved and that he hopes he'll be okay, so there is still every chance that we see his name on the teamsheet tomorrow night.

For what it's worth, I'd say give Karius another pop. As I said, he wasn't exactly bad on Saturday night, so why not give him the shot he's earned? Dubravka doesn't exactly have a stellar record this season does he?

How much do we miss Nick Pope?

It feels like a lifetime ago now that we were all complaining about Nick Pope and his dodgy antics when the ball was at his feet. What we wouldn't give to have him back there marshalling the defence.

That is the one thing both Dubravka and Karius seem to be lacking - the big voice at the back and indeed the confidence from their defenders.

In an ideal world, it won't matter who is between the sticks tomorrow night as all the action will be up the other end much like it was for Arsenal on Saturday. Here's hoping anyway.