Adam Armstrong and Freddie Woodman – considered two of the brightest academy prospects at Newcastle – will have caught the attention of Rafa Benitez this week after impressing for their respective loan clubs.
Talented goalkeeper Woodman is on loan at Aberdeen and has kept two clean sheets in the four matches he has played for the Scottish Premiership side, and the 21-year-old further enhanced his growing reputation on Tuesday evening
The youngster was the Dons’ hero in the Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with Kilmarnock, performing heroics to save three penalties in a penalty shoot-out after the tie had finished 1-1 allowing Woodman to steal the show.
Woodman is no stranger to keeping out spot-kicks after saving a penalty in the under-20 World Cup final against Venezuela last summer, earning the Golden Glove that is awarded to the ‘keeper of the tournament’.
“I have a good record of saving penalties,” Woodman told the Chronicle. “Hopefully that will something that stays with me during my career. I feel confident and that comes from my track record of saving them.”
Armstrong is enjoying similar success north of the border, scoring seven goals in as many games for Blackburn – including a double in the 3-0 victory over Blackpool – and earning February’s League One player of the month award.
Rovers boss Tony Mowbray, who managed the 21-year-old at Coventry two seasons ago, believes Benitez will be taking notice of the 21-year-old Geordie striker’s productive form in front of goal.
“I don’t know what else to say about Adam, to be honest,” Mowbray said in an interview with the Lancashire Telegraph.
“He’s a young lad learning the game, and I’m sure Rafa Benitez will see the video clips of all of the goals he’s scoring.”
Whether both will play a part for Newcastle next season will be up to Benitez.
