Newcastle have told Leeds that they cannot consider their January loan bid for goalkeeper Freddie Woodman because of an injury to Karl Darlow, according to a journalist from the Chronicle.
Lee Ryder, chief Newcastle writer, has claimed that Woodman is in the Newcastle first-team squad tonight and that Leeds had put in a request for a loan move.
Ryder made the claim ahead of Newcastle’s clash with Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
Freddie Woodman in the squad tonight. #nufc have told Leeds they can’t consider their January loan bid at the moment due to Karl Darlow’s injury. pic.twitter.com/gOdOBEeBS0
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) December 5, 2018
OPINION
Ryder is a very reliable source of Newcastle information so it looks like Leeds have made an approach for Woodman as they search for extra goalkeeping cover after loanee Jamal Blackman broke his leg. He would have been a really good option for Marcelo Bielsa, who has reportedly ruled out a move for Tom Heaton as he wants a goalie who can play with the ball at his feet. He will have to look elsewhere now, which is a blow, but it’s also bad news for Woodman who would surely have relished a loan at Leeds to help them with their promotion push. Barring injury to Martin Dubravka, he’s unlikely to see any first-team action for Newcastle. The good news for Leeds is getting the answer nice and early, which means they’ve got plenty of time to line up someone else before the January transfer window opens. The question is, will the new man be the number one or cover for Bailey Peacock-Farrell.