Newcastle United have suffered yet another worrying injury blow as in-form goalkeeper Rob Elliot was stretchered off while appearing for the Republic of Ireland over the international break.
The 29-year-old has been in fantastic form between the sticks for the Magpies, but he landed awkwardly on his knee in just the 14th minute of Ireland’s friendly match with Slovakia. Attacker Miroslav Stoch scored for the visitors and Elliot was then stretchered off the field.
With Elliot already deputising for the Magpies due to the season ending knee injury which Dutch international Tim Krul suffered in October, this latest setback is the last thing United boss Rafa Benitez needed.
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Usual third-choice shot-stopper Karl Darlow is now on red alert to start this weekend’s crucial Premier League clash against fellow relegation rivals Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday. England Under-19 international Freddie Woodman is also likely now to take his place on the bench, despite having yet to make his Toon debut. Benitez is already facing a selection crisis at left-back, while captain Fabricio Coloccini is also expected to once again sit out this weekend’s game. This latest injury to one of their best players this season will only add to Rafa’s headaches. Darlow has started just one Premier League game all season, against West Brom in late December. He looked shaky and nervous throughout the match and was arguably at fault for the Baggies’ winning goal on that occasion.
Elliot, meanwhile, has been arguably United’s most consistent performer during his 21 appearances, including making a crucial save from Patrick van Aanholt with the scoreline at 1-0 during the Tyne-Wear derby. That was not the only time this campaign when the Irishman won points, also playing a key role in wins over Bournemouth and Tottenham earlier in the season. He will leave a huge void if he is forced to miss any of the remaining eight games, as the club fights for their top-flight future.
Newcastle will wait anxiously for diagnosis of Elliot’s injury, but the sight of him being taken off on a stretcher will be of extreme concern. On a personal level, his hopes of making Ireland’s squad for the European Championship look to be in severe jeopardy. A very big blow for the Toon indeed, but Darlow now has the opportunity to put the gloves on and if he can produce a string of clean sheets to keep Newcastle up, he will silence the critics.
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