Rafa Benitez is prepared to give Rob Elliot his chance as first choice keeper but wants to bring in a new goalie for competition.
Joe Hart, Willy Caballero and Pepe Reina were all believed to be on Rafa’s wanted list but the first two have got fixed up with new clubs with Reina strongly tipped to go to Manchester City.
Karl Darlow and Tim Krul were left out of the squad that is working in Ireland with Elliot getting the chance to establish himself as first choice keeper.
“The main thing for Rob Elliot is to be fit and he’s training hard after playing the final three games of last season,” Benitez told The Chronicle. “He is a good goalkeeper but I want him to compete.
“You can’t have players that think this is easy because they are the only one in that position.
“Hopefully we can bring in a new goalkeeper, and this competition will be good for the team.”
West Ham duo Darren Randolph and Adrian have been linked with a move to Newcastle this week with others sure to follow.
Bringing in a top notch keeper on a budget that appears to have a ceiling of £10m looks an impossible task with Benitez describing the market as crazy.
Elliot knows that he has been given an unexpected opportunity to impress, unless there is a big u-turn the 31-year-old looks like starting the season as Newcastle’s first choice keeper.
