Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot is still some way off from returning to first-team action, according to the club’s head goalkeeping coach Simon Smith.
The Republic of Ireland international has been sidelined since March with a knee injury but has slowly been returning to full fitness in recent weeks. Smith, however, gave an update on Elliot’s progress on his Twitter account.
NUFC GK update: @the_dilsh trained with me twice last week; now diving ! Hope to step it up to 3 GK sessions in the coming weeks.
— simon smith (@simonsmithgk) October 3, 2016
The Irish international was handed a long-term contract by Rafa Benitez in the summer despite the arrival of Matz Sels from Gent.
With Tim Krul out on loan at Ajax, it still means the 30-year-old has to compete with a number of other stoppers on Tyneside.
The likes of Sels and Karl Darlow are currently battling it out between the posts, though the return of the ex-Charlton ace is likely to be a positive one for the club’s support.
Thanks to his good form last season, Elliot is one of the most popular figures at St. James’ Park.
Darlow is the current incumbent of the first team jersey after displacing Matz Sels in the last two matches against Norwich City, and again against Rotherham United at the weekend.
