Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow describes Covid experience in hospital as ‘pretty awful’ after being discharged

NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Karl Darlow has described his battle with Covid-19 as 'pretty awful.

And the 30-year-old also warned 'we still need to be careful with it'.

Darlow was sent home by the Toon ten days ago after testing positive.

But things took a further turn for the worse last week, when he was hospitalised after becoming more and more dehydrated.

Now back at home and slowly on the mend, Darlow has opened up on his Covid-19 battle.

He told Sky Sports: "I had to go to hospital last week which was pretty awful - but I'm slowly improving now despite still feeling a bit rough.

"This shows the virus is still going about and we still need to be careful with it."

Steve Bruce revealed that Darlow was battling coronavirus after last Friday's 3-2 friendly win at Doncaster Rovers.

Newcastle fielded 20-year-old goalkeeper Dan Langley for the match, after more senior stoppers Mark Gillespie and Freddie Woodman were deemed close contacts of Darlow's and forced to isolate.

Both keepers have tested negative and are set to rejoin Toon training imminently.

First-choice Martin Dubravka is also out for the foreseeable future, after going under the knife following a foot injury.

Darlow's Covid scare wasn't Newcastle's first, after senior stars Jamaal Lascelles and Allan Saint-Maximin battled back from the effects of the disease last season.

The latter told talkSPORT back in May: "It is difficult, you can train at home but you can't come in and help the team."

⚽ Read our Transfer news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals