NEWCASTLE United have received some welcome news that goalkeeper Karl Darlow has returned home after being hospitalised to recover from Covid-19.

The 30-year-old contracted the virus around two weeks ago and has been self isolating ever since. Fellow keepers Mark Gillespie and Freddie Woodman were also determined as close contacts and subsequently also had to self isoalte. 

It's understood that Darlow was struggling to stay hydrated after contracting the virus and was taken into hospital in order to monitor his health. 

While Darlow is now at home recovering from the virus, it's not known how long it will be before he returns to training with the first-team squad. 

Darlow told Sky Sports News: “The last week has been pretty awful - but I’m slowly improving. This shows we still need to be very careful.”

The Magpies remain short on goalkeeping options but it's understood that Gillespie and Woodman are due to return to the squad this week. 

With Martin Dubravka set for a spell on the sidelines, Dan Langley has been between the sticks for Newcastle United during a number of their pre-season games. He's expectred to keep his place in goal for their friendly match against Rotherham United tomorrow evening.

Manager Steve 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."