It looks like Loris Karius will finally make his competitive debut for Newcastle United next week.
According to The Mail’s Craig Hope, Eddie Howe looks set to go with the German stopper in our Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth on Tuesday.
In his first appearance since February 2021, Karius starred in our 5-0 win over Al-Hilal last week, putting in an impressive performance between the sticks.
He was only on for the opening 45 minutes, but made two top class saves, was quick off his line, showed safe handling and good distribution to get us on the attack.
Nick Pope was given the nod in our win over Crystal Palace in the previous round, but he wasn’t pictured training with the group on Thursday after only recently returning from the Wold Cup in Qatar.
Speaking about his future, Karius admits there’s “not much time left” before his initial deal expires on December 31st – although recent reports suggest we’ll extend that deal until at least the end of the season.
Asked about his current deal – due to expire in two weeks time – the former Liverpool man had this to say:
“I spoke with them (Newcastle) a little bit.
“We didn’t go into too much detail yet, because we had the break after.”
“We’ll speak in a few weeks now, probably. It’s not much time left.
“Yeah, like I said, it’s been a great few months.”
Karius when asked about next week’s clash with Bournemouth:
“I’m a professional, I want to play every game. That’s what we’re here for, but I’m just preparing myself.
“We got back to England. There’s another pre-season game before Bournemouth, so I don’t want to think that far ahead.
“We’ll be training to keep the level as high as possible, and making sure if I get the call, I’m ready and go in with a good feeling.”
Karius on his time on Tyneside so far:
“It’s been a great few months,’ he says. ‘Of course, I don’t play (competitively) yet, but how I’ve been training, how I was welcomed by the whole group, it makes me believe I can achieve more things here. That’s my aim, to be here for a long project instead of a short one.
“When Newcastle called me, I thought it was a great chance to go back to England and maybe show myself and prove myself again.
“Of course, we have four goalkeepers in the squad, but I’m ready when the manager needs me, and the rest of the time, I will push and make it difficult for him to make the decision.
“I am thankful to him for this opportunity, but I need to deliver. I cannot just be thankful and sit there and not perform. That’s not how I work. It was a great chance offered by Newcastle. I have to grab it with both hands and make the best of it.”
