Newcastle United goalkeeper Loris Karius is facing a crunch time.

The German shot-stopper's short-term deal expires at the end of this month with Karl Darlow now fit again and ready to push Nick Pope in the second half of the season, says Chronicle Live. United did not register injured back-up goalie Mark Gillespie after an injury last summer.

Karius was brought in as an emergency signing after Darlow suffered an ankle injury in training and the Magpies found themselves short-handed in the goalie department. Karius had eight unused substitute stints on the bench in league and cup.

Karius indicated he was keen to join Newcastle back in September and said then: "I felt it was the right project for me and I'm excited to work with the coaches and my new teammates."