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Rob Elliot has finally gone under the knife after injuring his thigh back in December 2014.

The Newcastle United goalkeeper has gritted his teeth for the black and white cause and played through the pain barrier for the last two seasons after picking up an injury in the 2-1 win over Chelsea at St James’ Park.

Elliot has stepped in for Tim Krul twice in the last two years and last season produced some sparkling form to ensure he won the Chronicle’s player of the season award for the 2015/16 campaign.

His season was then ended by a separate knee injury picked up playing for the Republic of Ireland which left his Euro 2016 dreams in tatters.

But Elliot has used his summer lay off to attend to a nagging thigh problem.

After a successful operation, Elliot took to Twitter to update fans and posted: “Finally had my thigh op after tearing tendon in December 2014.

“Will definitely be back even stronger now.”

Elliot had revealed that he’d been prepared to battle on through injury during Newcastle’s goalkeeping crisis.

He said last year: “It is a constant injury.

“Unfortunately, I will have to get operated on at some point.

“But the good thing is once I get it operated on I know I will be clean and fresh. It has been a tough year.

“I just want to be fit for Newcastle, every game for this football club is massive, it is a massive achievement for myself and I just want to make sure I go out there every week and give my best. That’s all I can do.

“Hopefully, the thigh will hold out as long as possible but it seems to be going well.

“At least I have a solution now. I have seen the specialist and know it won’t get any worse and I can get it sorted. It’s as positive as it can be.”

Elliot is settled at Newcastle and loves the region meaning the battle for the number 1 spot next season will be a fierce affair.

Karl Darlow ended the campaign between the posts and Tim Krul will also be back from a knee problem meaning there will be a four-way grapple for the gloves next term with Fred Woodman also pushing hard in the reserves.