Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren has insisted that he has faith in Karl Darlow despite the goalkeeper's error against West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

The Magpies saw out 2015 by losing 1-0 at The Hawthorns, with Darlow at fault for the game's only goal having failed to gather Darren Fletcher's effort 12 minutes from time.

However, McClaren was keen to focus on other aspects of Darlow's performance on what was his league debut for the club, giving the under-fire keeper a vote of confidence ahead of Saturday's match against Arsenal.

"We have just shown a review of the game and there were some defining moments in the game," he is quoted as saying by PA.

"In the first half, he made a terrific save from James Morrison low to his right which kept the score at 0-0. We had a thousand set plays against us, he dealt with that very well and it's just one of those things that happen.

"Karl Darlow is a very good goalkeeper and I have every confidence in him."

Newcastle currently sit 18th in the Premier League table, two points from safety at the halfway stage of the season.