Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot knows he faces a major challenge to oust Holland international Tim Krul next season.
The 25-year-old arrived on Tyneside from Charlton in August last year to share the responsibility of playing understudy to the Dutchman with veteran Steve Harper, and ended the campaign very much as Alan Pardew's number two despite having made just one senior appearance.
It is a role he is likely to reprise when the new campaign gets under way, with Harper now 37 and Fraser Forster seemingly destined for a permanent switch to Celtic.
However, he is only too aware that Krul's recent form means he will have to remain patient once again.
Elliot told the Evening Chronicle: "Tim was fantastic last season - probably one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, if not the best.
"If Tim does really well, you can just hold your hands up and say fair play to him.
"You can't expect to play when the keeper is doing so well, only if the opportunity comes where he's injured or form dips.
"If he keeps playing well and doesn't get injured, there's not much you can do. You have just got to be patient and keep working hard in training. There's only one position and Tim did fantastically well. You have just got to hold your hands up and say well done."
The 25-year-old arrived on Tyneside from Charlton in August last year to share the responsibility of playing understudy to the Dutchman with veteran Steve Harper, and ended the campaign very much as Alan Pardew's number two despite having made just one senior appearance.
It is a role he is likely to reprise when the new campaign gets under way, with Harper now 37 and Fraser Forster seemingly destined for a permanent switch to Celtic.
However, he is only too aware that Krul's recent form means he will have to remain patient once again.
Elliot told the Evening Chronicle: "Tim was fantastic last season - probably one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, if not the best.
"If Tim does really well, you can just hold your hands up and say fair play to him.
"You can't expect to play when the keeper is doing so well, only if the opportunity comes where he's injured or form dips.
"If he keeps playing well and doesn't get injured, there's not much you can do. You have just got to be patient and keep working hard in training. There's only one position and Tim did fantastically well. You have just got to hold your hands up and say well done."
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