The Magpies have made a mixed start to life in the Championship.
Newcastle’s Karl Darlow
Karl Darlow has admitted to the Chronicle that it has been a frustrating time waiting for his chance in the Newcastle United first-team this season.
The 25-year-old finished the last campaign as the club’s number one but the summer arrival of Matz Sels has seen the former Nottingham Forest man left on the bench for all of the Magpies’ first four Championship games.
And after making his first appearance of the campaign in the League Cup win over Cheltenham, Darlow explained how it has been a difficult spell for him and how determined he is to win his place back.
“I’ve been ready to play in every single game, so it’s been pretty frustrating for me sitting on the sidelines,” he told the Chronicle.
“I’ve just got to be patient, wait for my chance.
“When they come, like they did against Cheltenham, I’ve got to make sure I take them and show everyone what I know I can do.”
Though Darlow has been left frustrated with his lack of opportunities this term, he should arguably take a lot of positives from how he has risen up the pecking order in recent times.
At the start of last season, he was arguably behind Tim Krul and Rob Elliot. And while it was only down to injuries that he got his chance, he clearly did enough to impress during his time between the sticks as it was Krul – a proven international goalkeeper – that was the one to leave on loan following Sels’ arrival.
And if he can continue to keep clean sheets when a chance comes his way, then it will soon be impossible for Rafael Benitez to not give him a prolonged spell in the side.
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