Rob Elliot reveals his heartbreaking reaction to news his Euro 2016 dream is over

We can only wish the Irishman the very best.

Rob Elliot did not deserve to have his fine season end in heartbreak. Whatever about the possibility that Newcastle may get relegated, the goalkeeper has been one of the Magpies' better performers as they battle the drop. The 29 year old was the only Irish 'keeper playing first-team football in the Premier League, and looked certain to feature in Ireland's Euro 2016 squad. However the devastating knee injury suffered in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Slovakia has ended his season, and his summer hopes. And speaking to the Newcastle United website, the 'keeper told supporters of his heartbreaking reaction to the news his season is over.

"Sustaining the injury happened in a split second. The ball was played across the goal and I moved across to get in line. I dived after the ball as I would do in any training session or any game, but I felt pain straight away. Watching it back, I grabbed my knee before I'd even landed. "When I found out it was my cruciate ligament, that's when the tears came. There was a wave of emotion knowing I'd miss the rest of the season with Newcastle and the Euros with Ireland. But you have to let that come, get past it and then look to be positive."

The Ireland goalkeeper is not likely to play again until early next season, and with Tim Krul still injured it means that Rafa Benitez is now likely to turn to Karl Darlow as his first-choice for the remaining games of this term.