According to The Mirror, Steve Bruce will recall Karl Darlow for Friday night’s clash with Leeds at St James’ Park.
This means Freddie Woodman could be set to drop out of the side following his poor display at Old Trafford – where he didn’t cover himself in glory for both of Ronaldo’s goals.
Darlow was named on the bench for the first time this season in last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Manchester United, with him finally fit again after being hospitalised by Covid over the summer.
Some feel it would be a risk to throw the 30-year-old straight back into the firing line given he missed our entire pre-season programme and hasn’t played since a February.
However, if The Mirror (page 51) are to be believed, Steve Bruce has already decided to bring Darlow back into the side for Friday night’s crucial clash with Leeds.
Woodman hadn’t done a great deal wrong prior to that unconvincing display at Old Trafford, however he has now conceded twelve goals in just four league games.
Has he received enough protection? Definitely not, but he hasn’t made a great deal of saves – something both Darlow and Dubravka made a habit of doing to save Bruce’s bacon over the past two seasons.
We need a keeper who can organise the defence, unfortunately the only one we have who can do this in the squad is Dubravka but he’s injured.
The stats speak for themselves.
Joseph(Quote)
Good point. Dubravka is great at this. A commanding but calming presence.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)