NEWCASTLE UNITED goalkeeper Karl Darlow is ready to give Rob Elliot a run for his money after successfully recovering from injury.

Darlow has been out for two months with an ankle injury, during which time first-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul ruptured his anterior cruciate ligaments and was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Elliot stepped into the vacant role and has performed admirably in Krul’s stead, but with Darlow playing a full 90 minutes for the Magpies’ under-21 side on Monday evening, the former Nottingham Forest man is ready to challenge Elliot for the number one shirt.

"It's been a long time - two months - so I was happy to get out there playing, and it was a nice way to start, with a clean sheet," Darlow told Newcastle’s club website after the 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

"I had a few saves and a couple of crosses but it was all pretty routine and nice to get back in the flow of things again. I wanted to test my ankle out with a few kicks and everything seemed okay there, so that was positive.

"The last couple of months have been very frustrating. It felt like I was up to speed, training well and playing in the Capital One Cup, which was good for me.

"The injury came along, then Tim got injured for the whole season and it was very frustrating. I knew I was only going to be a couple of months for me, so there is still an opportunity there. Hopefully now I can crack on and get going again.

"It was very bad timing but I know there's plenty of the season left to go, and I'm optimistic for the future.”

Elliot has had injury problems of his own, and had Darlow been fit himself, he would have had a legitimate claim for a start in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth, in which Elliot went on to excel in.

But Darlow, who signed for United in 2014 alongside Jamaal Lascelles before being loaned straight back to the City Ground outfit, hopes he will get the opportunity to show what he is capable of.

"Robbie has done really, really well coming in. He had an excellent game at Bournemouth and did well again at the weekend,” said the 25-year-old.

"He's the man who has got the number one shirt right now, and I need to prove to the head coach through training and under-21 games that I can play and that I'm ready to play.

"That sort of competition (with Elliot) is fine by me. It's part and parcel of football and you know what you are getting into with this job. There is always people fighting for places, so I've just got to do my best and prove that I'm ready."

United fielded a strong XI against the second-string Baggies side, with Darlow and Lascelles both featuring alongside playmaker Siem De Jong and Yoan Gouffran.

And for Lascelles, it was a familiar sight having Darlow behind him, as it was when both were at Forest.

Lascelles told the club website: "It's nice that Karl was in goal, and to play in front of him. He's an excellent goalkeeper and he made some really good saves.

"I'm used to playing with him so I know when he's going to come out and get it. We've sort of got that connection, which I think is really important for centre-halves and goalkeepers.

"I'm pleased he got through it with no injuries and hopefully he can kick on."

Lascelles has found opportunities in the first-team limited with Steve McClaren selecting Chancel Mbemba and Fabricio Coloccini as his preferred centre-halves, but the defender is patiently waiting for his chance.

"It's on the way to where I want to be and if I have to play a few more (under-21 games) then I'll do it,” said Lascelles.

"I'm just being patient, working hard and doing what the staff say. I'll always give my all, whether it's for the under-21s or the first team.

"I see every game as a cup final - it doesn't matter who the opposition is. I'm always going to see it the same.

"I tried to talk to the boys and help get them through it. I remember when I was younger and I think it's really important when the older lads talk and encourage."

Meanwhile, former Holland international midfielder Clarence Seedorf was linked with the Newcastle manager’s job should the club sack McClaren. Italian news website CalcioMercatoNews.com reported that Seedorf, who endured a brief spell in charge of AC Milan in 2013, had met with Magpies chiefs to discuss a possible role.

However, it is understood that the club are willing to give McClaren more time and in any case would not go down the route of appointing an inexperienced manager given they passed up on the opportunity to appoint Patrick Vieira in the summer, who later went on to take the manager’s job at MLS side New York City.