Steve Black worked for both Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Young Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has been backed to emulate Sunderland counterpart Jordan Pickford by a coach who worked for both clubs.
Steve Black, who worked under Sunderland and Newcastle bosses Peter Reid and Steve McClaren respectively, was quoted as having made the claim by the Chronicle on Tuesday.
“North East: Two great goalkeeping talents. Pickford at Sunderland and Woodman at Newcastle,” he said.”Woodman will shine equally when his chance comes.”
19-year-old Woodman is yet to feature for Newcastle’s first team, but was a regular on the bench last season and racked up 12 appearances on loan to League Two Crawley Town.
Pickford, who is three years Woodman’s senior, also spent time away from the north east last term, at Championship side Preston North End but has emerged as Sunderland’s number 1 in Vito Mannone’s absence.
Both players have received international recognition with England’s Under-21s, while Pickford earned his first senior call up in October.
Unlike the Washington-born shot-stopper, Woodman is not native to the north east, having been plucked from the youth ranks of local side Crystal Palace in 2013.
The Magpies youngster faces a battle to break into Rafa Benitez’s plans, however, with Matz Sels, Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow all above him in the pecking order.
Matz Sels makes a save
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