Steve Bruce offers Martin Dubravka injury update as Newcastle United trio continue fitness fight

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on July 26, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images )

The Magpies face Southampton this evening but do not play again until Chelsea come to St James’s Park on November 21.

And Bruce is hopeful the Slovak’s heel injury will be much improved with the focus turning away from domestic football.

“We’re hoping to have some sort of improvement after the break,” Bruce said of Dubravka’s injury situation.

"That goes with Martin, and it also goes with Jonjo (Shelvey) as well. I’m not going to put a time on anything, but they’re getting the there – and that’s the case with (Matt) Ritchie too.

"After the international break, we could see the three of them there or thereabouts – certainly to start training, anyway.”

Ritchie had surgery on his acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) back in October while Shelvey had been playing with a reported hernia problem.