"?Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow has every confidence that the Magpies will do well in the Championship next season, citing the level of quality and ability in the current squad as a key factor in the club's attempt at an immediate return to the Premier League.
Whilst also acknowledging the toughness and intensity the English second tier is famed for, Darlow told the Newcastle Chronicle: "The quality we've got in this squad is far superior to anything else in the Championship and that should stand us in good stead."
The likes of Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum are tipped to leave, but there are suggestions that a number of other key players, Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend among them, will actually remain.
"There will be a lot of talk about character and attitude, but ability is important as well. Over the course of a season, the best teams will come to the top and we have to remember that," Darlow went on to explain.
"If we can keep the quality that we've got, then we should be able to go through that league. We might need to add a few because you need a bigger squad.
"It'll be interesting to see what happens, but it's up to the board and the manager to see what they want to do player wise. If we keep the majority of the lads here, I don't think we'll have a problem next year."
Darlow has more experience of the Championship than anyone else in the squad. He spent two and a half seasons as Nottingham Forest number one before injuries to Tim Krul and Rob Elliot handed him the chance to get a run of games in the Newcastle side.
However, one player who look increasingly unlikely to play any part at St James' Park next season is Florian Thauvin. A report from France has the £12m flop winger confident that his representatives will soon strike a second loan deal with Marseille.
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