Steve Bruce has revealed Mark Gillespie is in line to make his Premier League debut if fellow Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow is not fit for Sunday's game against Wolves.
Former Nottingham Forest keeper Darlow has been one of the Magpies' more impressive performers so far this season but is a doubt for the Wanderers clash after taking a heavy blow in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Regular number one Martin Dubravka is already sidelined due to ankle surgery and manager Bruce has issued an update on Darlow's fitness.
SB on Karl Darlow:
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 23, 2020
"He's waited patiently for his chance and he's done very well. We hope he can make it but we've brought Mark Gillespie and he's done well in the cup competitions. We have to see what the next 48 hours bring. Mark is ready if he has to make his PL debut." pic.twitter.com/pn143v9BdG
He said, as quoted by Sky Sports: "Karl has made a huge improvement but we're going to have to take it down to the wire. It's an impact and not a tear - but it's in a very, very sore region where he's taken an awful knock.
"He's better than he was on Saturday. Whether he's fit or not, we're just going to have to wait and see over the next 48 hours."
Regarding Gillespie, Bruce added: "He's played three times and that looks a good shout now, especially if he has to make his debut, he's had some sort of football anyway.
"He's an experienced goalkeeper who has played in Scotland for the last four or five years so he'll be fine."
Newcastle have made an average start to the Premier League, winning two of their opening five games, and the side came in for criticism following their late capitulation against United.
Bruce added: "I'm under no illusion that as Newcastle manager you know the criticism flows. Sometimes you think it's a little unjust but it's what we deal with these days with social media and every game on the TV.
"Now everybody is a manager, not just the guy in the pub. But I understand it, and it's the beauty of it."
Source: 90min
