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Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot upbeat after winning injury 'mental battle'

Newcastle United's goalkeeper Rob Elliot
Image: Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot is back in action after long-term injury

Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot has spoken of his “mental battle” after recovering from long-term injury.

Elliot spent almost 13 months out after damaging knee ligaments while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland in March 2016.

The 31-year-old returned for the final three games of last season to play a cameo role as the Magpies secured their return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

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Elliot has retained his place in the top flight and he is determined to make the most of his opportunity to play again on a regular basis as Newcastle prepare to face Swansea on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

"Recovering from injury itself is sort of a mental battle - it's the first battle you have to face when coming back from a long injury, just having the strength to do the little things," Elliot said.

"When you get back fit and are just training every day, you realise what a blessing it is when you can't do it.

"So when you're in the gym, you just try to work a bit harder and hopefully, you reap the rewards when you come back because you are that bit mentally tougher.

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"You try to take the positives out of it, make the best out of a bad situation and that's all you can do."

Newcastle struggled in their opening two matches in the Premier League as they lost to Tottenham and Huddersfield, while manager Rafa Benitez is understood to be frustrated at the lack of available funds in the transfer window.

But a 3-0 win at home to West Ham before the international break has boosted confidence in the camp ahead of the trip to the Liberty Stadium.

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Newcastle 3-0 West Ham

"After the Huddersfield game, you hold your hands up. It wasn't good," added Elliot. "But I thought we gave a proper performance against West Ham.

"It was a good response because we were getting a lot of stick, and I think it's been unfair. It's a good team, a great group that's got us promoted.

"If we can keep performing like that, we'll be fine. Hopefully we can replicate it and push on this season. That bit of pressure before getting the first win is gone and we can kick on."

Watch Swansea v Newcastle on Super Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League at 3:30pm.

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