Steve Howey believes that Karl Darlow will push for a summer move away from St James’ Park this summer in search of first-team football.
The former Toon defender spoke to Football FanCast to speak about our goalkeeping situation, which has seen Martin Dubravka reclaim the number one spot despite some impressive displays from Darlow.
It was also reported that Darlow was angry with the way he was dropped, with the media supposedly finding out before he was told by Steve Bruce himself, leaving the player angry – and rightfully so.
Here is what Howey said in full:
“For me personally, I would leave because he couldn’t have done any more [yet he’s back on the bench].
“That’s the problem with goalkeepers. You’ve got to have two very good keepers, but it’s keeping them happy.
“I think Steve Harper, apart from the last little bit of his career, was second string all the time. Which is fine, but as a professional, personally, I wanted to play all the time.
“Darlow’s had a taste of first-team football and done very well. He’ll be thinking, ‘I don’t want to sit on the bench again, I want to play’.”
A move away for Darlow may seem premature if the worst happened and we ended up finishing in the bottom three.
Big earner Dubravka could be a wanted man and would likely be sold should we be relegated, leaving the door wide open for Darlow to claim the number one spot while we were in the Championship.
He was one of our stand out performers in 2016/17 as he managed to cement a regular spot between the sticks following the poor form of Matz Sels.
Darlow will be unhappy to have found himself back on the bench – especially when it may have cost him an England call-up – but he may be one of many squad players who benefit from relegation should disaster striker this summer.
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