Elliot’s back injury deals Newcastle major blow to hopes of selling him this month

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Newcastle United outcast Rob Elliot has suffered a back injury which may require an operation, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.

Rafa Benitez recently confirmed that Elliot was the only member of his stretched squad who was definitely on the transfer market this month.

He said: “I said before that Elliott was available, the others it depends. The idea is to keep as much as we can.”

But now it seems unlikely that any potential suitors will be interested in a mid-season swoop for goalkeeper who looks set for a spell on the sidelines.

Elliot was perhaps the only guaranteed source of transfer income this month – even clearing his wages off the payroll might have helped Benitez bring in one more body who can offer more than a fourth-choice goalkeeper.

It continues Newcastle’s rotten luck with injuries which afflicted the 4-2 extra time FA Cup third round replay against Blackburn in midweek – Benitez just cannot seem to catch a break.

Having the one expendable player in the squad sidelined by a long-term injury is not an ideal scenario for a manger for whom every penny counts – but at least he has more than enough depth between the sticks to cover.