Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot is hoping to end a difficult season by helping the Toon retain their Premier League status and win the race for the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 goalkeeper's shirt.

Asked if helping to keep Newcastle up could help him edge past the likes of Darren Randolph, Shay Given and David Forde to claim the number one spot for his country, the 29 year old said: "I hope it's an added bonus.

"It's nice to be away with the lads and trying to do well this week, but just for Newcastle to stay up is obviously my short-term priority because it's a fantastic club. We should be in the Premier League and we shouldn't be in the position we're in.

"Anything I can do to help us stay up and maintain our Premier League status, hopefully that will help towards the summer. But in the meantime, we just need to concentrate on our Premier League survival game-by-game.

"We have got eight games left and they are all massive, massive games now. That will go hand in hand, really."