Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce says Mark Gillespie is ready to step in if Karl Darlow isn't fit for their trip to Wolves.

Darlow, who himself has taken his chance after Martin Dubravka picked up an heel injury, collided with Marcus Rashford in last weekend's defeat by Manchester United.

"Karl is still sore but he's made a huge improvement from Saturday," said Bruce.

"It'll go down to the wire [for Sunday] and we'll see how he is. Thankfully it's an impact injury and there's no tear."

On summer signing Gillespie, Bruce continued: "We hope he can make it but we've brought Mark Gillespie and he's done well in the cup competitions.

"We have to see what the next 48 hours bring. Mark is ready if he has to make his Premier League debut."