---
title: "Steve Bruce Sweating On Fitness Of Keeper With Countries Highest Save Count"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2020/10/19/steve-bruce-sweating-on-fitness-of-keeper-with-countries-highest-save-count/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2020-10-19T15:00:15Z"
modified: "2020-10-19T15:00:15Z"
---

# Steve Bruce Sweating On Fitness Of Keeper With Countries Highest Save Count

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce gave a[worrying update](https://twitter.com/milesstarforth/status/1317585165229719552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1317585165229719552%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3%2Ccontainerclick_0&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-4118671677114896622.ampproject.net%2F2010010034001%2Fframe.html) on the fitness of Karl Darlow following Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Manchester United at St James’ Park.

Despite being able to complete the game, the [Toon boss confirmed](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/steve-bruces-worrying-newcastle-united-injury-update-karl-darlow-and-isaac-hayden-3006988) Darlow would face a race to be fit in time for Wolves on Sunday after a collision with Marcus Rashford.

Bruce decided not to replace Darlow despite having Mark Gillespie on the bench said: “He’s (Darlow) taken a hell of a blow, we hope that he’s not too bad, but it’s one of those difficult ones to assess straight away.”

Darlow’s fitness comes as a particular concern following the confirmation of the prolonged injury suffered by Martin Dubravka. The Slovakian who has previously been considered the number one choice at St James’ having [played all 38 league games](https://www.premierleague.com/players/6451/Martin-Dubravka/stats?co=1&se=274) last term, is likely to be out until December with a heel injury.

So far in Dubravka’s absence, Darlow has been in [superb form for the Magpies](https://www.premierleague.com/players/9251/player/stats?co=1&se=363), notching up 28 saves since the start of the season, a [Premier League high](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/saves).

The Newcastle man was also the[first keeper to save](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-newcastle-bruno-fernandes-19123712) a Bruno Fernandes spot-kick in 20 previous attempts in England on Saturday.

The 30-year-old who signed from Nottingham Forest in 2015 has played 70 times for the club keeping [26 clean sheets](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/karl-darlow/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/99397/plus/0?saison=&verein=762&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=).

### READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT

Newcastle fans will be right to hope Darlow can recover in time given his recent form. The Englishman would have had a strong case for keeping his number one berth had Dubravka not picked up his fresh injury.

Despite current understudy Gillespie being an experienced operator with over [50 Scottish Premiership appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mark-gillespie/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/142389/plus/0?saison=&verein=987&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=), the Newcastle born stopper is [yet to see Premier League action](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mark-gillespie/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/142389/plus/0?saison=&verein=762&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) since arriving from Motherwell in July.