The Martin Dubravka decision that Steve Bruce can't put off any longer at Newcastle United

Martin Dubravka had suffered a knee injury in Newcastle United’s win over Southampton – and Darlow was on standby to play his first Premier League game in more than two years.

Then came a three-month national lockdown due to the coronaivrus pandemic. Darlow, it seemed, was the league’s unluckiest goalkeeper.

Dubravka was fit by the time football returned – and Darlow was back on the bench.

It was tough on one of the most likeable and amiable players in Steve Bruce’s squad. Luck, it seemed, was not on the side of Darlow, though his fortune would turn later in the year when Dubravka suffered a heel injury ahead of this season.

That said, Darlow has made his own luck. The 30-year-old has been diligent and dedicated through his time at the club, and he was ready for his chance when it belatedly came along.

And he had to be. Darlow was the Premier League’s busiest goalkeeper in the early part of the campaign as the team tried to get the balance right between defence and attack.

Darlow was deservedly given a new long-term deal at Newcastle, the club he joined in the summer of 2014 from Nottingham Forest along with Jamaal Lascelles, and he deservedly kept his place when Dubravka return from a heel operation.

Bruce, however, is ready to make a change for Saturday’s home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the wake of Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

“Karl Darlow’s had a magnificent season so far,” said United's head coach. “He’ll be disappointed with the first goal in particular, because, obviously, it’s the cardinal sin to let one in at the near post.

“Whether I’ve got a decision (to make), I’ve not even thought about that yet. I haven’t even thought about that decision just yet.”

Darlow, still, hasn’t done much wrong, but, with 13 games left, it seems to be the right time for Dubravka, United’s No.1, to return between the posts given the gravity of the relegation-threatened club’s predicament.

Bruce needs his best players on the pitch – and Dubravka is his best goalkeeper.

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