Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot is set to miss the club’s clash against Brighton on Saturday due to a thigh injury, according to a journalist.
Craig Hope, the north east football correspondent for the Daily Mail, has claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Republic of Ireland shot stopper has picked up a knock following the club’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, ruling him out of the clash against the Seagulls.
News of the 31-year-old’s layoff will come as a major blow to the club, with the shot stopper firmly manager Rafael Benitez’s number one choice between the sticks this season, despite having seen himself drop out of the side for Karl Darlow earlier in the campaign.
Elliot, one of the club’s longest serving players, has made 16 appearances for the club so far, missing just four matches after dropping to the bench as a result of his poor form, with a total of 68 outings under his belt since arriving from Charlton.
Former Nottingham Forest shot stopper Darlow, who has five appearances across all competitions this season, is the likely replacement for Elliot in the starting XI, while hot prospect Freddie Woodman will likely take the vacant place on the substitutes’ bench in his place.
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club are expected to submit an official bid for a Premier League forward in January.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Newcastle United breaking news.