NEWCASTLE UNITED’S goalkeeping situation will finally ease next week – but Steve Bruce has admitted that Karl Darlow is struggling to shake off the effects of his Covid infection.

Teenager Dan Langley has played in the Magpies’ opening two pre-season matches with Darlow, Freddie Woodman and Mark Gillespie all unavailable because of Covid issues and Martin Dubravka sidelined with a foot issue.

Darlow tested positive shortly after the start of pre-season training, with Woodman and Gillespie subsequently forced to self-isolate as they were deemed close contacts.

The latter duo should be passed fit to return to training at the start of this week, meaning they should be available for Tuesday’s friendly at Rotherham United.

However, Darlow is still struggling to recover from his Covid infection, which is an understandable concern given the length of time it took both Jamaal Lascelles and Allan Saint-Maximin to return after contracting Covid last season.

Bruce said: “The goalkeeping situation should be a little bit better (next week). Certainly, we’ve got a couple of them who are self-isolating, they'll be okay.

“Karl Darlow is still not very well. He’s not great at all, unfortunately, with Covid at the moment.”

Newcastle are having to deal with injury issues too, although a number of those are expected to improve this week, with the Magpies set to face Rotherham on Tuesday and Burton Albion on Friday night.

Bruce said: “Joelinton’s got a thigh problem, as you’ve seen, so we weren't going to risk him (at Doncaster last night). We hope that he's going to join in on Monday, along with (Javier) Manquillo. We’ve also got (Emil) Krafth and (Fabian) Schar back on Monday.

“Matt Ritchie was a little bit stiff (yesterday) morning and we didn't take any risks. We won't take any risks with any of them, it's pre-season. He'll be okay though, he'll be okay for Monday, I’m sure.”