A former Newcastle United player is set to take centre stage in the battle for promotion in the Championship.
The Magpies have seen many of their players move to clubs in the EFL since Eddie Howe was appointed manager in 2021. Steve Bruce had once favoured them at Newcastle United, but Howe adopted a cold-blooded approach and sent them on their way at the earliest possible convenience.
That was the case for players like Dwight Gayle, who left Newcastle for Stoke City in 2022, having barely played under Howe for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign.
There have been players who failed to attract interest until recent months after being left to train with the reserves. Jeff Hendrick was released by Newcastle at the end of the 2023/24 season after making just one appearance under Howe. Hendrick joined Derby County in March but is yet to make an appearance for the Championship strugglers.
Elsewhere, the likes of Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie have found new clubs. However, the former is currently out after picking up an injury just a few minutes into his debut for Carlisle United.
Now, another player who left under Howe’s watch in 2023 is set to make his first appearance of the season, being thrown straight into the deep end.
Karl Darlow set to start first game of the season for Leeds United
Karl Darlow is hailed as a hero at Newcastle for his contributions during the Magpies’ Championship campaign. The Wales international helped Newcastle, managed by Rafa Benitez at the time, return to the Premier League at the first time of asking in 2017.
The season before, he was called upon again by Benitez, where he saved a penalty from Yohan Cabaye in a crucial 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.
Darlow left Newcastle for Leeds United in 2023 following a loan spell at Hull City the season before. However, he has been forced to play as a second-choice goalkeeper to former Newcastle target Illan Meslier.
The Frenchman has made a slew of goalkeeping errors in recent weeks, forcing Whites boss Daniel Farke to make a big decision with the race for Championship promotion heating up.
Farke has confirmed that Darlow will be handed his first start of the season against Championship strugglers Luton Town.
“I’m a big believer to always have clarity on the goalkeeper position, and for that, I’ve already taken my decision that Karl Darlow will play on Saturday.”
“For me, it was important that we had clarity relatively early in the week, so that Karl, with it being his first start in a league game for a while, could concentrate on this topic.”
Explaining his decision, Farke added: “Karl is an experienced GK, proven at this level and a top class character.
“I see him in training each and every day, he performs really well, absolutely professional, loyal, everyone trusts him and he’s also in a good moment right now.
“He has played two games for Wales recently, put in two solid performances and is in a good rhythm, so at this moment, heading into a crunch time period, it’s the right time to take this decision.”
Darlow has played for Leeds this season, playing two games in the FA Cup and once in the Carabao Cup.
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Newcastle looking to sign player from Leeds promotion rival
The top of the Championship is incredibly tight.
Sheffield United and Leeds currently occupy the top two places, but must be attentive to former Newcastle man Scott Parker’s Burnley who are right behind them.
Despite already having five on the books, Newcastle are looking to add a goalkeeper to their squad this summer. Sporting director Paul Mitchell believes he has already found his ideal target in Burnley’s James Trafford.
Reports have claimed that Trafford is set to join Newcastle in the summer transfer window after the Magpies failed to land him due to PSR concerns in 2024.
Trafford want to play Premier League football, whether that is with Burnley or Newcastle remains to be seen.
The 22-year-old has kept 27 clean sheets for the Clarets this season, meaning he has already broken the record for the most shutouts in a Championship campaign with seven games to go.
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