Martin Dubravka and Miguel Almiron missing from international squads on Sunday night

Sunday night saw Slovakia take on Paraguay, a match originally billed as Martin Dubravka v Miguel Almiron.

However, tonight’s friendly saw neither player in the starting line-up, indeed the pair were totally missing from their matchday squads.

Hopefully good news for Newcastle United with no risk of the pair getting injured, just so long as it wasn’t injury that ruled them out…

Miguel Almiron was sent off in a friendly defeat to Serbia on Thursday and there hadn’t been any word on any immediate suspension but you would assume that is why he was missing for the game.

As for Martin Dubravka, he is Slovakia’s undisputed number one and with this being a friendly, it appears the manager took it as an opportunity to give second choice Greif a game in goal, with the third choice keeper as back up on the bench and the Newcastle keeper a shift off.

The game ended 1-1, with Slovakia taking a 59th minute lead before Paraguay earned a creditable draw with an equaliser five minutes from time.

Miguel Almiron has been playing and training pretty much non-stop for Newcastle and Paraguay throughout 2019, so missing a game at this stage won’t do him any harm.

Newcastle fans hoping he can feel the benefit and maybe bond a little more with Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton on Saturday at Chelsea, some slightly more encouraging signs for the three as an attacking trio, when beating Man Utd 1-0 last weekend.

As for Martin Dubravka, he is joint top when it comes to Premier League clean sheets this season with three. It would be a very big boost if he makes it four at Stamford Bridge, in what is set to be his 59th consecutive PL start for Newcastle.

Wednesday 9 October

Liberia 1 Chad 0 – ACON Two-legged Qualifier (Mo Sangare)

Making his fifth international appearance, the NUFC midfielder played the first 56 minutes of the first leg win.

Thursday 10 October

Serbia 1 Paraguay 0 – Friendly (Miguel Almiron)

Not a great night for Miguel Almiron, booked in the 43rd minute he got a second yellow in the 54th minute which added up to a red.

Then to make matters worse, former NUFC striker scored Serbia’s winner in the last minute.

Slovakia 1 Wales 1 – EC Qualifier (Martin Dubravka)

Martin Dubravka was beaten in the 25th minute by Kieffer Moore but Slovakia equalised in the 53rd minute through Kucka. Dubravka’s  team then dominating but unable to find a winner.

With two group games left to play, Slovakia are three points behind leaders Croatia and a point ahead of third placed Hungary.

Friday 11 October

USA 7 Cuba 0 – CONCACAF Nations League (DeAndre Yedlin)

DeAndre Yedlin sat out this seven goal thrashing, the NUFC defender watching on as USMNT raced into a 6-0 lead at half-time, before easing off after the break.

Saturday 12 October

Malta 0 Sweden 4 – EC Qualifier (Emil Krafth)

As usual, an unused sub for the 90 minutes.

This easy win leaves the Swedes in second, five points behind Spain and one ahead of Romania, with three group games remaining.

Denmark 1 Switzerland 0 – EC Qualifier (Fabian Schar)

A blow for Switzerland and the NUFC defender who played the full 90 minutes, an 84th minute Poulsen goal winning the match.

Switzerland now four points behind joint leaders Denmark and Ireland, with a crunch game on Tuesday night when the Swiss host the Irish – only three and two games left respectively in the group.

Sunday 13 October 

Chad 1 Liberia 0 (1-1 aggregate and Chad win 5-4 on penalties) – ACON Two-legged Qualifier (Mo Sangare)

Slovakia 1 Paraguay 1 – Friendly (Miguel Almiron and Martin Dubravka)

Neither Newcastle player was involved, not even named on the bench.

Almiron potentially banned after a red card against Serbia, whilst Slovakia presumably using the friendly as a chance to give their second choice keeper a game.

Tuesday 15 October

Sweden v Spain – EC Qualifier (Emil Krafth)

Switzerland v Republic of Ireland – EC Qualifier (Fabian Schar)

Canada v USA – CONCACAF Nations League (DeAndre Yedlin)

Thursday 17 October

Burkina Faso v Ghana – ANC Qualifier (Christian Atsu)

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