Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman looks set to return to St James' Park for pre-season.
Talk of a move to Swansea City being agreed was played down last night by United sources and as yet there has been not bites from Arsenal on the possible swap situation involving Woodman and Joe Willock.
It's difficult to see how Woodman can stay at United next season but he could get a chance in pre-season and pull on a Newcastle jersey with a double header on July 18 against York City and Harrogate meaning four shot-stoppers could get their chance.
The game might also come too early for Euro 2020 participant Martin Dubravka.
Looking longer-term though Woodman's representatives must assess all loan options carefully and while Celtic have been linked, the 24-year-old needs assurances he will be No 1 wherever he goes.
Newcastle indicated last season that Dubravka and Karl Darlow were very much the senior men and that Mark Gillespie was pushing at number three.
In the second string ex-Bolton keeper Jake Turner and local lad Dan Langley are also vying as future goalies.
Woodman has made 95 senior appearances for Swansea in the last two years and understandably doesn't want to lose momentum at this stage in his career.
At one stage, with Darlow's future uncertain in early 2020, there was talk that Woodman could compete for the No 1 slot with Dubravka.
But Darlow's excellent season last term and subsequent contract extension, of five years, suggests that the ex-Nottingham Forest man is regarded as next in line under Dubravka as the club stands at the moment.
