Rob Elliot back training with Charlton Athletic after Newcastle United release

Rob Elliot is back at Charlton Athletic – with the goalkeeper looking to build his fitness and sharpness after leaving Newcastle in summer.

The 34-year-old from Greenwich was an Addicks fan as a kid and played more than 100 matches before signing for the Toon in August 2011.

Elliot asked Charlton goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall if he could do his rehab with the South Londoners after surgery.

“Just as I left [Newcastle] I got appendicitis, so I had to let that settle down before I had the operation,” Elliot told the Addicks’ official website. “With Covid it took a little longer [to undergo surgery]. That was in October and then I messaged Marshy about coming in to train and get fit.

“He was brilliant and said it was no bother. Being my boyhood club it makes it even nicer to come back. I feel fit and strong. I’m able to join in with the lads.

“If I’m going to do my rehab then where better than where it all started?”

Elliot emerged through the youth ranks at Charlton – with Australian stopper Ashley Maynard-Brewer now highly-regarded and playing understudy to first choice Ben Amos.

“From my first viewing I was really impressed,” said Elliot. “He’s got everything you need to be a top goalie. It’s up to him how far he wants to go. It’s great to see they are still churning out good, young goalkeepers at the club.

“He doesn’t need much advice at the moment, because he is flying! Everything I see Ash is doing right.”

Elliot was largely an understudy during his time at Newcastle, playing 68 times in nine years.

Asked about leaving Charlton, he said: “It’s a strange one for me because the writing was pretty much on the wall. We’d signed Ben Hamer. I had a year left and Newcastle put a bid in and there was a bit of a thing with the fee.

“Powelly was brilliant with us. I think I played the first four games of that season and Newcastle came in with a late bid.

“It was sad to leave with everything I’d built. But then there was the excitement of going to such a big club and to a Premier League club. It was bittersweet.”

The full interview can be viewed here https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5fd8c7932f74d/rob-elliot-it-is-lovely-to-be-back