Steve Bruce reveals goalkeeper plans for Newcastle United's opening game

The goalkeeper will make his Premier League debut against West Ham United on Sunday with Martin Dubravka unavailable through injury following foot surgery and Karl Darlow recovering from Covid-19.

Steve Bruce has chosen Woodman – who has spent the past two seasons on loan at Swansea City – ahead of Mark Gillespie for the home season-opener.

Asked if he had made a decision on his goalkeeper for the West Ham game, head coach Steve Bruce said: “We’ll, it’s pretty straight forward, really. Obviously, Martin’s not fit. It doesn’t look as if Karl Darlow is going to be right. It’s well documented that he’s suffering with Covid.

“For any young people out there who aren’t having this jab, there’s a prime example. Karl found himself in hospital for the best part of a week. He’s dropped over a stone and a half in weight, and it’s really knocked him around.

“Freddie will get his chance. He’s waited patiently. He’s played for the last two years

“It’s Freddie’s big opportunity. I’ve been very, very pleased with what I’ve seen over the last six weeks in particular and the reports we had from Swansea have always been very very positive.”

Woodman – who has two years left on his contract at St James’s Park – has previously made four FA Cup appearances for Newcastle.

The 24-year-old was set to join Championship club Bournemouth on a season-long loan last month, but the move was put on hold because of the injury suffered by Dubravka, the club’s No.1.