Elliot has joined Newcastle United’s No1, Tim Krul, on the sidelines after suffering a groin injury in last night’s 3-0 win over Bordeaux at St James’s Park.
The 26-year-old – who made just one appearance for the club last season against Nottingham Forest – was replaced at the break by the experienced Steve Harper.
Alan Pardew: “Rob’s definitely out – I feel sorry for him.
“People hung that Forest game around him, that he wasn’t good enough, but in the three games he’s played, he’s been brilliant.”
But let's be honest here - the fans did watch a horror performance from Elliot against Forest - but Pardew himself didn't pick the goalkeeper for the rest of the 2011/2 campaign!
So "kettle" and "black" come to mind.
Hexham-born Alnwick, 19-year-old, is the younger brother of former Sunderland goalkeeper Ben, has represented England at Under-18 level.
Alan Pardew: “It’s disappointing that he’s hurt his groin, but we’ve got Jak in the background.
“I think the gods will really be against us if Harps gets injured in the game.
“I don’t expect to use Jak, but it’ll be great experience for him. I’ve no problem putting him on the bench.
"Harps is fine.
“He was excellent in the second half.
“It’s difficult to come in as a goalkeeper halfway through a game, and Harps made some problems for us look very easy, in terms of cutting out through-balls, which he is brilliant at.
“But Jak will go on the bench. I have got absolutely no problem with Jak. He has done really well.
“We were thinking about loaning him out, so having him on the bench is absolutely no problem.
“If he’s lucky, and we are lucky, he might get a win bonus.”