Eddie Howe's desire to improve the competition in between the sticks is no secret amid speculation linking Nick Pope with a move to St. James' Park. Martin Dubravka has been the number one at Newcastle since his arrival and the likes of Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman have been solid understudies.
However, with the Magpies looking to take the next step towards establishing themselves as a European outfit. Darlow has been linked with a move to the Championship while Woodman has also been linked with a move to Preston North-End, leaving Howe short on options between the sticks.
Pope would be a considerable upgrade on the two aforementioned players, but Howe knows just how difficult it can be to fill the number one spot. Woodman struggled for game time at Bournemouth due to the fine form of Mark Travers, with the Magpies head coach saying he would assess the 25-year-old's future this summer.
READ MORE: Newcastle edge close to Nick Pope deal but he will have to dislodge Martin Dubravka as number one
When asked about Woodman's future at the club, Howe said: "Goalkeeper is the hardest position in the sense that Freddie went on loan, but I know Mark Travers very well, and he’s an outstanding goalkeeper. His game probably kicked on to another level from having Freddie behind him, so it was difficult for Freddie to get any game time, which was obviously a disappointment for us and for him.
"He’s an outstanding young goalkeeper. We’ll be sitting down with Freddie to discuss what his next step is. But at this moment in time, it’s difficult to say.”
The proposed arrival of Pope would see some welcome competition for Dubravka who has largely had it his own way since arriving on Tyneside. The Slovakian international has been a fine addition but at 33-years-old, he's approaching the final chapter of his career.
