Woodman insists he is ready for the challenge of being No 1 man

NEWCASTLE United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman is not fazed by the prospect of challenging for the No 1 spot next season.

The Magpies could go into pre-season with Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot, Matz Sels and Tim Krul all on their books.

However, Woodman, who has just won the World Cup with England Under-20s, is not worried.

He said: “Now I want to go back to Newcastle and impress. I have a right to challenge.”

Woodman is very much a wise head on young shoulders and has been recalling his heroics at the World Cup final last weekend.

Back then he saved a crucial penalty to help hand England the World Cup and deny Venezuela. Reflecting on his approach to the game, Woodman (pictured) added: “You can get lost in the emotions of the game and too caught up in it. “One of the notes I wrote before the final said: Stay in control.” When asked about the future of the England youngsters, Woodman said: “We have just spent five weeks together and we have won the World Cup together. We are one big happy family.”

Newcastle are expected to move on either Darlow, Sels or Krul, while starlet Woodman could again be loaned out.

Out-of-favour shotstopper Sels is wanted by Anderlecht but the Belgian club have been told they must pay 100% of his wages to make the deal happen.