HAVING finally made his Premier League debut, Newcastle United’s Rob Elliot’s next ambition is to become an international goalkeeper – and Giovanni Trapattoni could give him the chance.

The 26-year-old was capped by the Republic of Ireland Under-19s, and Trapattoni is considering calling him up at full international level.

With Sunderland’s Keiren Westwood yet to play league football this season, and Shay Given – out of international retirement but yet to be recalled – not having done so since August, there are no Irish goalkeepers playing regularly in Europe’s top leagues.

No news was forthcoming about yesterday’s scan on Tim Krul’s injured ankle, but Elliot looks set for a run in Newcastle’s first team.

“Tim’s one of the best keepers around at the moment, not just in England, he’s started playing for Holland too,” commented Elliot. “It’s great coming to work with him because that’s what I want to do, play international football and Premier League football.

“To train with someone who’s experiencing that and going through it at the same age, we talk and stuff.”

Elliot – a summer 2011 signing from Charlton Athletic – made an impressive Premier League debut against Southampton on Sunday with some important second-half saves, and even an assist for Papiss Cissé. With a Europa League trip to Anzhi Makhachkala next week, he is excited about what lies ahead.

“I can’t deny I’ve had a look at the fixtures,” said Elliot. “We’ve got Swansea away (on Saturday) and the Anzhi game is massive, they’re probably the richest club in the world with some fantastic players like Samuel Eto’o. We’ll go into that as underdogs probably for the first time in

the competition, but if we get it right over two legs there’s no reason why we can’t progress.”

Elliot believes five earlier cup outings this season better prepared him for his top-flight bow, but it was still a step up.

“I’ve played a few games this year in Europe and the cups, which has been nice,” he reflected. “But to play in the Premier League, that’s the top one, the one you want to put against your name. I’ve finally got the opportunity.

“I just wanted to show everyone what I could do.

“The gaffer said make sure you play your game and don’t try and do anything you wouldn’t do.

“My first game against (Nottingham) Forest (in the 2011-12 League Cup), I didn’t play too well. I think I’d been here ten days. Maybe in hindsight it was too early for me.

“Bordeaux and Bruges (who Elliot faced in Europe), they’re top clubs but still that doesn’t get you ready for the Premier League because the pace of it, that’s the difference. It goes from back to front quickly.”

Elliot’s league debut started badly, beaten by Morgan Schneiderlin after three minutes, but ended with manager Alan Pardew proclaiming Elliot the equal of Krul.

“I didn’t even get the chance to pick the ball out of the net because Yohan Cabaye had got it already, so it was about seven minutes before I touched it!” said Elliot. “But as the gaffer said at half-time it wasn’t going get any worse.

“Tim’s done it 100 times in the Premier League, and at international level, I’m just really proud to play my first game.

“I never wanted Tim to get injured to get a game but he called me on Sunday morning to wish me luck.”

It was from Elliot’s long free-kick that Cissé volleyed Newcastle in front for the first time.

“When they’re showing it in 20 years they’ll probably just show the long ball and cut out when I kick it!” Elliot joked.

“To be a part of it was unbelievable. When someone does it that consistently you know it’s not a fluke.

“Papiss has been so close to exploding with goals.

“He keeps getting chances because his desire to score is fantastic.”

The league debutant in Newcastle’s next match will be referee Craig Pawson, who took charge of Scunthorpe United v Hartlepool United on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Sammy Ameobi has joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season and the dubious goals panel has awarded Newcastle’s goal at Tottenham Hotspur to Yoan Gouffran.