Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is hopeful that goalkeeper Rob Elliot will be soon be back to rival Matz Sels for first choice goalkeeper after the Irish international signed a new four year contract to stay at St James’ Park.
The 30 year old is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained at the end of March but is now close to returning to full training after extensive rehab and fitness work. Benitez told the club’s official website:
“I’m really pleased that Rob has signed a new contract with the club. It shows our confidence in him as a goalkeeper for now and for the future. Hopefully he will be challenging for the goalkeeper position again very soon.”
Belgian keeper Sels was brought in from Gent from £6.5million this summer and is the currently in possession of the number one jersey despite a shaky start to his Newcastle career. The arrival of Sels allowed Dutch international Tim Krul to go out on loan to Ajax in order to return to top form after his own long term injury.
Elliot will also have to fight off Karl Darlow, who was number one at the end of last season, and Freddie Woodman who signed a long term deal to stay with the Magpies earlier in the summer.
