Rob Elliot is nearing a return from injury, having been out of action for more than six months.
Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot has said that boss Rafael Benitez is not like managers he has worked with in the past, speaking to The Chronicle.
Having decided to stay at the club after they were relegated last season, Benitez has overseen wholesale changes at Newcastle and has guided his side to third in the Championship, just three points off top spot, and Elliot has commented on how the manager compares to previous people he has worked with.
Newcastle’s Rob Elliot celebrates at the end of the match
“He is very different to a lot of managers I have worked with before,” Elliot told The Chronicle.
“He does things differently and the players buy into it. They see it works and he has a proven track record.”
The 30-year-old is yet to play this season and has been out of action since late March, picking up a long-term injury while on international duty with Republic of Ireland.
Elliot saw Karl Darlow impress in his absence during the end of last season, and has witnessed Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels arrive at the club, meaning that the former Charlton stopper will have a hard task to get back into the Newcastle starting XI.
Republic of Ireland’s Rob Elliot
The way Elliot speaks about manager Benitez shows just how much respect the Spaniard has from his players, who trust his judgement after seeing how successful he has been throughout his career in England, Spain and Italy.
Elliot, who signed a new deal at Newcastle earlier in the season, is closing in on a return to first team action, and will be hopeful that Benitez’s rotation policy opens the door for him to make an impact after recovering from a severe injury.
Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
