Newcastle United player on standby for rare outing in Carabao Cup

Gillespie, signed in the summer as a free agent following the expiry of his Motherwell contract, has started all three of the clubs Carabao Cup ties so far this season. Dubravka, out since the summer following heel surgery, is close to a return.

"That gives me one of those big decisions, but you’d rather have it that way than not at all,” said head coach Steve Bruce earlier this month. “The competition between them is only a good thing for a manager.”

However, Dubravka, 31, won’t be involved at the Brenford Community Stadium, and 28-year-old Gillespie could make another appearnce for the club, having previously lined up against Blackburn Rovers, Morecambe and Newport County.

Karl Darlow has been an ever-present in the Premier League so far this season.

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