Karl Darlow's expected run in Newcastle United's first team will hand him the opportunity to earn a new deal.
The former Nottingham Forest man has one year left on his contract and is eyeing an extension to his current deal and has been in dialogue for over a year about stretching his time on Tyneside beyond 2021.
With Martin Dubravka ruled out with a knee injury for at least the rest of March, Darlow will be the man Steve Bruce turns to for the next handful of games.
Darlow said: "I just need to play as much as I can and whenever I get the chance.
"Martin has done an excellent job.
"It's one of those as a goalkeeper you know you are not going to be in there.
"But I am 29 so I still have a while left.
"It's just a bit of patience and carrying on working hard like I am doing."
And when asked about the prospect of a new deal, Darlow, talking to BBC Newcastle, said: "I have loved being at the club so far so the longer it carries on the better for me."
