CHERRIES are understood to be in talks with Newcastle United over a potential deal for goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

As reported by sister title The Northern Echo, Cherries are said to have “held discussions” with the hierarchy at St James’ Park over Darlow and are “increasingly confident” of completing a deal.

Middlesbrough had been keen to sign the 32-year-old, who spent the second half of last season out on loan at Hull City in the Championship.

Cherries currently have four senior goalkeepers on the books already in Neto, Mark Travers, Darren Randolph and Cameron Plain. Will Dennis has been loaned out to Kilmarnock.

Speaking to the Daily Echo at the end of last season, Irishman Travers expressed his desire for more game-time, after losing his place to new captain Neto during the last campaign.

It remains to be seen who new boss Andoni Iraola prefers as his number one.

Northampton-born Darlow came through the youth ranks at Aston Villa, before being snapped up by Nottingham Forest.

He would make his debut for the Tricky Trees in 2011, going on to play more than 100 times for them in the second tier.

Darlow also had a brief spell in non-league with Newport County and in League One with Walsall, before joining Newcastle in 2015.

He helped them clinch promotion from the Championship in the 2016-17 campaign, but has often had to play back-up in the top-flight.

Of his 100 appearances for the Toon, 26 came during the 2020-21 season.