'Let's wait and see': Eddie Howe gave update to American media on 'important' Newcastle United man amid exit rumours

Every single player who has stepped onto the pitch for Newcastle United in December and January has played some part in the club's current run of form, but some are gathering more praise than others.

One player who is perhaps being overlooked is the goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka, who is covering once again for the injured Nick Pope.

Newcastle's defence has been rock solid and Dubravka hasn't had much to do, but when called upon he's barely put a foot wrong. The Slovakian kept four clean sheets in a row, the first time he's done that since he joined the club in 2018.

His confidence when using his feet means we don't all hold our collective breath when an outfield player plays the ball backwards, and yet all the headlines regarding Dubravka are regarding a supposed move to Saudi Arabia this month with Al-Shabab hopeful of landing the 35-year-old who was deemed as 'important' as Alexander Isak by Craig Burley on Tuesday.

Letting Dubravka leave in January with no replacement incoming would be unwise

Dubravka is out of contract at the end of this season and selling him in January to grab a bit of money for the summer makes perfect sense.

Or at least it did before Nick Pope got injured and Dubravka started doing so well and now Eddie 'I hate to say goodbye' Howe has been handed the perfect excuse to hang on to another ageing player.

This time, though, we're siding with Eddie Howe, to a point. Selling Dubravka when Pope is out and not having a replacement that Howe trusts (we're looking at you, Odysseas Vlachodimos), could derail the current run of form.

Eddie Howe has the restraints ready to lock Martin Dubravka in the basement with Callum Wilson

Eddie Howe still holds out hope that he can convince Dubravka to stick around as he told CBS Sport (via The Chronicle), when he was asked if expected Dubravka to still be a Newcastle player when the second leg against Arsenal rolls around in February.

"I certainly hope so. Let's wait and see."

There has even been talk of offering him a new deal, which we aren't too convinced about. As good as Dubravka has been, he is another Jacob Murphy. We love him, but for all the good he does, we've seen a lot of bad too and we can't be relying on these inconsistent players going forward.