Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot believes that competition for places among the goalkeepers at the club will drive up performances when they are selected in the starting eleven by Rafa Benitez.
Elliot is still recovering from a knee injury which he sustained back in March but he expects to return to first team action in the next few weeks. In his absence however, Belgium international keeper Matz Sels has arrived at the club to become the Magpies’ first choice keeper, although he has been replaced b Karl Darlow for the past two matches after a shaky performance against Aston Villa. Elliot told the Evening Chronicle:
“The good thing is we all know that nobody’s place is safe. That’s what you want as a goalkeeper.If you play well you keep your place you will do well, if you don’t, you might lose it. Matz has done brilliantly but because of the quality and strength in depth we have the manager has been able to change it.”
“Karl has come in and he now knows the same. He’s got to keep at it. It’s great for me to come back because I know it will be hard to even get back on the bench before I even think about playing.”
Before his injury Elliot had established himself as first choice for both his club and his country the Republic of Ireland, but he will now have a big task of regaining his place in both teams over the coming months, especially at Newcastle where there are four first team keepers currently competing for one place.
