Newcastle United are unlikely to recall goalkeeper Freddie Woodman from Swansea in January if they have the option to terminate his loan deal early, according to The Athletic journalist Chris Waugh.
The former Chronicle reporter was asked via a live Q&A session via The Athletic’s website on Thursday if Newcastle can recall the 22-year-old in the winter transfer window.
Although Waugh is not sure about the exact agreement Newcastle struck with Swansea in the summer, he does not see the Magpies taking Woodman back unless Martin Dubravka was to suffer an injury.
“I have to be honest and say I don’t know the exact specifics of the Woodman loan deal but I will try to find out. I haven’t heard that there is a re-call clause, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t,” said Waugh.
“He has started very well down in South Wales and he is a player who Newcastle hold huge hopes for. They believe he can be a future England No 1.
“I’d be surprised if Newcastle recalled Woodman, unless Dubravka gets injured, because the Slovakia international is the established first choice.
“Both Newcastle and Woodman want him to get as much first-team experience as possible and, if he is playing every game for Swansea in the Championship, then he is probably best served staying there throughout the season.”
OPINION
Woodman has started life in South Wales very well indeed. The 22-year-old saved a penalty in a 0-0 draw against Derby and on Wednesday night made a few good saves to help Swansea earn a 3-1 win against QPR at Loftus Road. It was definitely the right idea to send Woodman out on loan in the summer and thankfully he has wound up somewhere where he is first-choice and getting regular game-time. For now, it would seem as though Shola Ameobi’s appointment as loan manager is doing the trick because a few players that were loaned out last season ended up wasting their time at various EFL clubs. Woodman is not wasting time at all and if he keeps up this form, there’s a very low chance that he will lose his starting spot at the Liberty Stadium. Newcastle should not recall him in January unless they have to. Even if Karl Darlow moves on, bringing Woodman back to be a second-choice would be a huge blow for his development.
