‘IN A BAD SITUATION’
Woodman keeping his options open
FREDDIE Woodman admits he finds himself in a “bad situation” at Newcastle United.
Now 21, the shot-stopper is in football limbo at a time when he should be out clocking up the appearances at first-team level.
Woodman is trusted by England boss Gareth Southgate to train with the team which reached the semi-finals of the World Cup but is pretty much out of contention all together at Newcastle.
The Three Lions’ under-21 goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Aberdeen but United managing-director Lee Charnley would not sanction a loan deal this summer due to a contract issue.
Woodman’s contract expires in 2020 and there will be no shortage of takers if he is allowed to leave on a Bosman free transfer.
It is a tricky situation for Woodman, the Croydon-born goalie watching on in the last 12 months as fellow England colleague Angus Gunn overtook him and won a move to Southampton via Norwich.
Woodman had the chance to sign for Oxford on-loan while exToon star Lee Bowyer was desperate to take him to Charlton Athletic.
Not giving young goalkeepers the chance to go out on loan is a dangerous game.
Newcastle chiefs should know this.
Back in 2014 they suffered a goalkeeping injury crisis and after failing to get Jak Alnwick the relevant work experience.
Alnwick was thrown in at the deep end in a League Cup quarterfinal at Tottenham and the decision to keep him in the reserves effectively cost Newcastle a place in the semi-final of a major competition. Woodman finds himself in Alnwick’s gloves at the moment. Even he would confess he is unlikely to get in the first team ahead of Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow or Rob Elliot.
After playing for the reserves last week, Woodman told the Chronicle: “It is competitive but I am training really hard.
“I am working really well with the goalkeeper coach and the other goalkeepers. “I am trying to keep my standards high. “January is around the corner and I have to be prepared for it when it comes.
“I have always said I enjoy playing football so whatever level it is I am going to enjoy it.
“I don’t have to play for the Jak Alnwick