Newcastle United shot stopper Martin Dubravka admits he could miss the start of the new Premier League season.

The goalkeeper may not be ready in time for the mid-august beginning of the campaign at St. James' Park against West Ham United.

That would mean Karl Darlow starting in goal at the start of the season, which he also did last term.

Dubravka has gone in for surgery on his foot.

He told Sport.SK: "I would love to start the first match of the new season.

"However, this is highly unlikely. The doctor told me that it was individual and that each patient responded differently.

"He has had a positive experience with me, as after the previous operation.

"Back then they predicted a two-month break for me, but I was back after three weeks.

"Now, the procedure may finally be longer than planned but it was important to solve the issue.

"I had a broken first metatarsal and I had a fragment there that needed to be removed."