The ‘keeper could prove his worth with Kilmarnock.
It’s not too much of a stretch to suggest that Tim Krul’s long stint as Newcastle United’s undisputed number one had a lot to do with a year’s loan at Falkirk.
The Dutchman had not made a single domestic appearance for The Magpies by the time he arrived in the County of Stirlingshire in the summer of 2007 but returned to St James’ 12 months later with 22 top flight senior games under his belt. And, just two seasons later, Krul was manning the posts for Newcastle, cementing his position as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Krul’s single season at the Falkirk Stadium was not without its downsides, he conceded four in one game against Celtic, seven against Rangers, and has his season cut short due to a dislocated shoulder, but one season in senior professional football taught him far more lessons than any academy fixture.
Therefore, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Newcastle are hoping 19-year-old Freddie Woodman can benefit in the same way.
The Chronicle report that the Championship promotion chasers are set to farm the highly-rated shot-stopper out to Kilmarnock, managed by former Newcastle midfielder Lee Clark, in January.
Like Krul, Woodman is short on top level experience with just 11 league appearances on his CV, all coming during a loan spell with Crawley Town last season.
However, with Rob Elliot returning to fitness and Karl Darlow impressing between the sticks, a short-term stay with the team 10th in the Scottish Premiership table represents the teenager’s best chance of first-team action.
Newcastle reaped the rewards with Krul and the smart money is on Woodman making a similar impression north of the border.
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