Karl may sit out as future is in balance

Chief Sports Writer NEWCASTLE United could leave Karl Darlow out of tomorrow night’s friendly with Heart of Midlothian.

The goalkeeper is on Middlesbrough’s wish-list and talks between the two North East clubs are ongoing as the Magpies wait to see if the Teessiders are prepared to up their initial £5million offer.

And United won’t risk Darlow getting injured during a pre-season friendly with a potential sale so close.

Darlow – having been told that he won’t be No 1 at United this season – is open to the move to Teesside.

But he knows that things can change very quickly in the summer window.

Nevertheless, unless Boro pull out of the talks, former Nottingham Forest keeper Darlow is unlikely to be risked in tomorrow’s friendly with Hearts at Tynecastle.

And it remains to be seen whether he will travel to Ireland next week for the club’s training camp at Carton House.

Rafa Benitez has been able to run the rule over Tim Krul in the last nine days, but the club will still consider cash bids for the Dutchman.

Benitez wants to sign a new goalkeeper but could soon be on the end of disappointing news with Pepe Reina thought to be close to signing a new deal with Napoli.

Newcastle have also been linked with Paris St-Germain keeper Alphonse Areola, but while the search goes on, the battle for the gloves continues at the club’s Benton base.

Rob Elliot has a strong case to start the season as No 1, while Krul and Freddie Woodman are also currently in a position to push him during pre-season.

Benitez will name his squad for the trip to Ireland at the end of the week. Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow could be leaving