Rafa Benitez Assures Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman of His Place in Newcastle's Future Plans

Rafa Benitez has told Freddie Woodman he is the future of Newcastle, but Woodman still wants to go out on loan.

Benitez has been looking for an experienced goalkeeper all summer, with the Chronicle reporting that Adrian is the latest candidate in line; however, Woodman can rest easy as he has a future at the club.

Fellow Magpies stoppers Karl Darlow and Tim Krul, on the other hand, are expected to be allowed to leave - but only for the right price, with the club having already rejected a £5m bid from Middlesbrough for Darlow.

Laurence Griffiths/GettyImages

Newcastle thrashed Bradford 4-0 in their third pre-season friendly on the 26th July, but Darlow was left out of the squad in case he picked up an injury which would put off potential suitors.

With an incoming goalkeeper becoming increasingly likely, Woodman’s chances of first team football are very slim. Therefore, he will have to head out on loan if he wants to get any experience.

Stu Forster/GettyImages

He is yet to play for Newcastle and has enjoyed loan spells at Crawley and Kilmarnock, keeping five clean sheets in 15 appearances with the latter. After not seeming out of place in the Scottish Premier League, Woodman will be looking for a team around Championship level.

Woodman gave an impressive display in the U20 World Cup, where he saved a penalty in the final and received the Golden Glove, leading to him getting many plaudits.

Newcastle will be hoping that he only leaves on loan and not permanently. With the Football League starting on the 4th August, Woodman does not have long to find a new club.