Newcastle United player’s short response to permanent summer exit speculation

Karl Darlow has opened up on his decision to leave Newcastle United and join Hull City on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

The 32-year-old agreed a temporary switch to the Championship club midway through the January transfer window, however it wasn’t finalised until after the Magpies’ Carabao Cup semi-final win over Southampton, where Darlow was named on the bench for both legs.

And as it turned out, Darlow would have likely started Sunday’s Wembley defeat to Manchester United had he stuck around on Tyneside after Nick Pope was forced to serve a one-match suspension for his red card against Liverpool.

But the former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper insists he has no regrets over pursuing regular first-team football. Darlow had made just one appearance for United this season - a 2-1 win at Tranmere Rovers.

“I’ve enjoyed it, working with the manager and Barry Richardson - who I’ve worked with before. In my first game, Matty saves a penalty and keeps a clean sheet,” Darlow told Hull Live.

“You always have to be patient and it’s one of those things, so when you get your opportunity you have to go in and have belief in yourself and be confident.

“Twelve games to go, I just need to carry on playing and enjoy my time here, hopefully we can pick up some points and push right up there league. I want to play football, that’s it.

“From my perspective, I could have let it go another six months, another 12 months and before you know it, you’re three years into not playing.

“For me, I’m ambitious. I’m young - for a goalkeeper, I’m 32, I’ve got years ahead of me and I want to prolong my career by playing football, making sure I’m still in people’s minds and that they have not forgot about me.”

Darlow made his debut for Hull last Saturday, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Bristol City.

Asked about his future at St James’ Park, Darlow replied: “It’s not a discussion for me to put to anyone. I think that will be dealt with behind the scenes in the summer, and what Newcastle thinks.”

Darlow has two years remaining on his contract at Newcastle. Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie’s deals are set to expire in the summer, while Martin Dubravka could depart.