A few Newcastle United fans have been lauding Rob Elliot as the ‘better option’ to fill in for the injured Martin Dubravka than Steve Bruce’s likely stand-in Karl Darlow.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that Dubravka is set to miss at least the remainder of the month, including our FA Cup Quarter Final with Manchester City, after scans revealed the Slovakian had damaged his medial knee ligaments.
Dubravka sustained the issue during last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Southampton after clashing with Saints striker Danny Ings just before the hour mark, and was forced to leave the ground on crutches having played on following lengthy treatment on the field.
Darlow has been put forward as the most likely option to stand-in for Dubravka, starting with Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Sheffield United, having been the one favoured in the FA Cup by Bruce thus far this term.
The Northampton-born 29-year-old started the Third Round Replay with League One Rochdale, before retaining his cup status in each Fourth Round clash with Oxford United and in the Fifth Round win over Championship West Bromwich Albion.
Who should Bruce call on to cover for Dubravka?
Darlow
Elliot
Darlow conceded five goals over those four fixtures with lower league opposition and has not featured in the Premier League since February 4, 2018.
Some fans have shared their preference in Darlow’s run out of the league side continuing, with Elliot the back-up goalkeeper they would favour.
Elliot has not featured for a single minute in any first-team competition this term and last appeared for the Magpies on December 27, 2017, as we lost 1-0 at home to Man City in a Premier League meeting.
Here are some of the messages shared from fans who would trust four-time Republic of Ireland international Elliot over Darlow in Dubravka’s absence…
Would rather Elliot
— Dan 😉 (@frodo0905) March 11, 2020
Is Elliot still at Newcastle? He is better then Darlow.
— Darren Cowan (@DarrenCowan6) March 11, 2020
Bring back Rob Elliot
— Schärmageddon (@LouisJ2001) March 11, 2020
I’d prefer Elliott
— Dave 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 (@QssssDavid) March 11, 2020
Surely Elliot is the better option!! Darlow, sorry but no
— Noel (@noelthejoker180) March 10, 2020
Rather have Elliott to be honest
— Bucko (@Cheshire_Mag) March 11, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, clubs around the world have been credited with interest in a 32-cap Toon ace.