Benitez Backs Darlow To Deliver

By Dominic Scurr

Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow has been given a vote of confidence by manager Rafa Benitez, following Rob Elliot's season-ending injury.

Benitez admitted Elliot's anterior cruciate ligament injury - suffered during Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 warm-up match against Slovakia earlier this week - was "very bad news" for his side.

However, the Magpies' boss is confident that Darlow can step up for the remaining eight games of the 2015/16 campaign, starting on Saturday at Norwich City.

"We have to support (Darlow) and do what we need to do," Benitez said.

"He's training well and we know he can do a good job for us. He hasn't played too many games in the Premier League but he's played plenty of games in the Championship so he has enough experience to do well."

Darlow was thrown in at the last minute for his Premier League debut in a single goal defeat at West Bromwich Albion back in December and hasn't played since.

But now the former Nottingham Forest keeper has been given more time to prepare ahead of Saturday trip to Carrow Road, and Benitez feels he can deliver a strong performance.

"(Darlow) is a good keeper," the former Real Madrid manager continued.

"He's proven that in training and he has enough quality to do well at this level.

"But it's a collective responsibility. The team have to defend and protect the goalkeeper.

"Because the game is so important, we have to make sure we do what we can to help the keeper, but we also have to find ways to score goals and win the game."