---
title: "Newcastle: Karl Darlow set to come in for Leeds United game"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-karl-darlow-set-to-come-in-for-leeds-united-game/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-09-15T06:15:31Z"
modified: "2021-09-15T06:15:31Z"
---

# Newcastle: Karl Darlow set to come in for Leeds United game

**Steve Bruce is set to make a change in goal for Newcastle United’s clash with Leeds United on Friday night, according to Tuesday’s Daily Mirror (via [Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/freddie-woodman-leeds-united-dop-21562233)).**

### The lowdown

Freddie Woodman has started Newcastle’s first four Premier League matches with Karl Darlow recovering from [a bout of coronavirus that saw him hospitalised](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/freddie-woodman-leeds-united-dop-21562233) and Martin Dubravka [sidelined by a foot injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/martin-dubravka/verletzungen/spieler/74960).

But Woodman’s form has been unconvincing. The former Swansea City loanee has conceded 12 goals from a post-shot xG of just 8.9 (via [FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/19e50035/Freddie-Woodman)).

After the 4-1 defeat away to Manchester United on Saturday, Woodman wrote on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTuP327je94/) that he ‘wasn’t good enough’ but was determined to ‘learn and react in the right way’.

### The latest

The report states that Darlow, who was back among the substitutes at Old Trafford, is to be recalled.

Following a tough afternoon in Manchester, Woodman will drop to the substitutes’ bench for Leeds’ visit.

### The verdict

Steve Bruce has probably made the right call here. Woodman was excellent for Swansea in the Championship, and so Newcastle would have viewed him as a more than able deputy.

But his performances surely haven’t lived up to expectations, and his confidence will have been damaged ahead of a test against a Leeds team who unleash constant waves of attack, despite their own deficiencies at the other end.

It will be interesting to see how quickly Dubravka is restored to the line-up when fit. Can Darlow force Bruce to hesitate?

**In other news, [Newcastle have been dealt a significant injury blow](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/newcastle-callum-wilson-could-be-out-for-another-month/).**