‘I don’t like that saying’ - Newcastle United star issued challenge after late deadline day move

Hull City manager Liam Rosenior has revealed on-loan Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow is ‘ready to fight’ for a place in his side after completing a loan move to the Championship club.

The long-serving stopper has made just one appearance for the Magpies so far this season as he started in a 2-1 win at Tranmere Rovers in the second round of the Carabao Cup in August. The form of summer signing Nick Pope and an ankle injury has limited Darlow’s opportunties of challenging the England keeper for a place in Eddie Howe’s starting lineup.

The decision to recall Martin Dubravka from his loan spell at Manchester United have further hampered the former Nottingham Forest star’s chances of adding to his solitary appearance. A number of clubs were believed to have expressed an interest in taking Darlow on loan for the remainder of the season but it was Hull that secured a deal in the final days of the January transfer window.

Tigers manager Rosenior retained faith with Matt Ingram and was rewarded with a clean sheet in Saturday’s 1-0 home win against Cardiff City, with Darlow watching on from the substitutes’ bench. That led to suggestions the Magpies keeper would be unhappy but Rosenior has revealed his stance on the challenge that lies ahead for both of his goalkeeping options.

“That's not the way Karl sees it and that's not the way I see it,” Rosenior said when asked if Darlow had expected to start. "I don't want one player in the squad to be guaranteed a place in the team, and no player that I've signed or player that is here is guaranteed to start in the team, they have to earn it.

“That's what I love about Karl. I had a great conversation with him. He genuinely wants to be here, and he genuinely wants to fight for his place in the team, and Matty will fight for his place in the team.

“I don't like that saying, 'that no one is coming here to sit on the bench' - you come here because you want the team to do well, because you're selfless. Karl's character and knowing him - Barry Richardson knows him really well - he fits completely into that culture.”

Darlow will hope to force his way into Rosenior’s side when Hull visit Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.