After seven months on the sidelines, Newcastle’s Karl Darlow reacts to receiving Benitez’s shock recall

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle drew 2-2 at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night.

Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow

Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow has told the club’s official website that he was pleased to have made his return to the team against West Bromwich Albion.

The Magpies travelled to The Hawthorns on Tuesday night, just days after a 3-0 defeat to Watford meant that Rafael Benitez’s men had lost four in a row.

It looked like Newcastle were in line for another defeat when Hal Robson-Kanu headed home Kieran Gibbs’ cross in the first half to give West Brom a 1-0 lead, and Sam Field pounced at the back post in the second half to finish off Matt Phillips’ delivery.

WBA striker Hal Robson Kanu (4) heads the opening goal past Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow

However, Newcastle mounted an admirable fightback, with Matt Ritchie’s corner finding the head of Ciaran Clark to make it 2-1, before Ritchie’s free kick was deflected into his own net by Jonny Evans to seal a 2-2 draw.

Benitez will have been pleased to stop the rot with Tuesday’s draw, and he will also feel that his decision to drop a host of players from the defeat to Watford paid dividends.

The likes of Javier Manquillo, Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame and Dwight Gayle were all dropped to the bench, as was goalkeeper Rob Elliot, with Karl Darlow coming back into the side in his place.

Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow

Darlow, 27, spent most of last season as Newcastle’s first choice, but hadn’t played a league game for the club since April 17^th, with his return to the side coming as a major surprise.

After the final whistle, Darlow told the club’s official website that he was pleased to be back in the side having been ready to play every week due to Benitez’s rotation policy, and he is now hoping to keep his place for the weekend game at Chelsea.

“The manager rotates quite often, so you have to be ready each week and I’m just pleased to be back and playing for Newcastle,” said Darlow. “I was happy. I knew I needed to manage myself through my first game back after not playing for a while, but I felt good. I felt like I did alright, so we’ll see what kind of team he picks on Saturday!” he added.