Confirmation of Rob Elliot's terrible misfortune.
A rare bright spot in Newcastle's awful season, the goalkeeper was enjoying some just desserts with a call-up for the Republic of Ireland that would likely cement his place in Martin O'Neil's Euro 2016 squad.
However in the 15th minute of Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Slovakia the 29 year old
suffered a season-ending knee injury in the concession of the visitors' first goal.
Sky Sports News reported Wednesday morning that the ligament damage will keep Elliot out for six months - meaning the stopper will miss Newcastle's Premier League run-in, Euro 2016, the start of the next club season and Ireland's opening World Cup qualifier with Serbia.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsNewsHQ/status/715124274848210945
The confirmation is good news for Shay Given, who is likely to return from injury this weekend for Stoke City - who lost Jack Butland to an ankle injury during the international break.
