NEWCASTLE UNITED are facing a goalkeeping crisis ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth after Rob Elliot’s long-standing thigh problem reappeared in yesterday’s goalless draw with Stoke City.

Elliot had to pass a pre-match fitness test just to take his place in the starting line-up against the Potters, but spent most of the second half limping around his penalty area and wincing in pain whenever he was forced to clear the ball.

With Tim Krul and Karl Darlow both nursing long-term injury complaints, Elliot’s anticipated absence for the trip to Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium means teenager Freddie Woodman is the only goalkeeping option available to Steve McClaren.

As a result, the Magpies head coach is pondering a formal approach to the Football Association to request permission to make an emergency loan signing.

McClaren said: “Rob took a fitness test before and said he wanted to play. He just got through, but he was wincing at the end and is a major doubt for next week.

“It is a recurrence of the injury he had long term, so we don’t hold out much hope. We are certainly looking at the situation and seeing what we can do because that’s obviously three of our senior goalkeepers out injured.”

As well as pondering what to do about his own goalkeeping situation, McClaren was also forced to reflect on the performance of Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland after the England international produced a string of impressive saves to keep the scoresheet blank at St James’.

Butland produced two fine second-half saves to deny Moussa Sissoko, before producing an even better stop to turn substitute Jamaal Lascelles’ header over the crossbar.

McClaren said: “Butland stood between us and three points. The future certainly looks bright for English goalkeepers, and I know that having had him at Derby.

“He was excellent for us then, and he’s even better now – and he got Stoke the point.”

Newcastle remain rooted in the relegation zone after failing to win for the tenth time in 11 league matches, but despite his side failing to score for the second game in succession, McClaren still believes he can see signs of progress.

He said: “The key thing is that we look capable of winning games now. The first four we didn’t create any chances, but now we are playing good football and dominating opponents.

“In the cold light of day, anybody looking at that can see we’re on the right way.”