Rafa Benitez is in the market for a goalkeeper at Newcastle this month.
The Evening Chronicle claim Newcastle United youngsters Freddie Woodman and Paul Woolston are desperate to leave the club this month on loan – but Rafa Benitez is currently preventing the duo from doing so.
Woodman, 20, made his debut for the Toon on Saturday in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Luton Town in the third round of the FA Cup, as he remains firmly planted as Benitez’s third-choice goalkeeper at St. James’ Park.
Woolston remains behind Woodman in the pecking order and is yet to make his Newcastle bow, with Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow vying for the first-team slot in Benitez’s starting line-up.
The report claims Woodman has been keen to leave on loan all season while Woolston’s chances of remaining a part of the England youth set-up is in danger as he is yet to taste first-team action.
Elliot’s thigh injury means Woodman is currently second choice at St. James’ Park, pushing Woolston into third and that highlights the Toon’s need for another goalkeeper with Benitez seemingly refusing to use Woodman in the Premier League.
Paul Woolston in action for England’s Under-17 side.
It is believed that the duo will be allowed to leave, though, if Benitez can finally land a goalkeeper with Real Madrid’s Kiko Casilla, Paris Saint-Germain’s Kevin Trapp and West Ham United’s Joe Hart all being considered.
But until the Toon land a new goalkeeper, the duo will be forced to stay with three weeks remaining in the January transfer window. It remains to be seen how active Benitez will be in the transfer market this month, as he is yet to learn what budget he has at his disposal.
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