Given the lack of incoming transfers so far this summer, it is a move that may not prove all too popular with the Newcastle United fanbase. However, Eddie Howe will care little about external criticism after deciding to keep veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy at the club for another year.
The 38-year-old's contract expired last week and the shot-stopper had attractive offers further down the footballing pyramid. [Instead, Chronicle Live this morning reported Ruddy had signed an extension at St James' Park.](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-make-contract-decision-32006777)
But with a grand total of zero minutes last season, why has Howe opted to keep Ruddy around on Tyneside? In truth, it is a risk free move from the club as they keep a decorated and popular dressing room asset on the books for relatively minor money.
Ruddy was brought to these shores upon his 2024 release from Birmingham City purely to act as a mentor for younger players, to offer wisdom to the goalkeeping department and to add experience to a squad that is on the younger side. As far as that criteria goes, it is job done from Ruddy's point of view.
"John has been brilliant behind the scenes, I have to say," Howe said of the former Norwich City stopper earlier this year. "I can't praise people like John enough. John has come into the football club and he has fully embraced everything we do.
"He is here for youth games and reserve games. He has really invested in trying to help people. Every player I am sure he has touched in some way. John has been a vital part of what we have done this year."
So, what comes next as Howe and his recruitment team draw up a model of how the club's goalkeeping department could look come September?
Nick Pope will remain, Ruddy is now staying and Mark Gillespie has also signed a new deal. Meanwhile, James Trafford is admired by decision makers at St James' Park as talks continue with Burnley over his signature.
That leaves Odysseas Vlachodimos and Martin Dubravka as the expendable stoppers still on the books on Tyneside. The former has played just 45 minutes since his arrival 12 months ago, while the latter featured heavily in Pope's absence last term.
It is understood United will attempt to move Vlachodimos on this summer but given his £20m fee and recent struggles, Newcastle will struggle to make a profit or breakeven on the Greek No 1. Instead, a loan move could suit all parties.
Dubravka's situation is slightly different. The Slovakian was close to leaving Newcastle for Saudi Arabia back in June but instead stayed put when the club needed him, signing a new contract. Trafford's arrival would essentially knock Dubravka down to third in the pecking order, adding to the likelihood he opts for one last challenge elsewhere before hanging up his gloves.
Howe will ideally want to retain five goalkeepers heading into the new season, which could suggest a quintet of Nick Pope, James Trafford, John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie and one of the aforementioned backup stoppers in a slightly new-look goalkeeping department for the upcoming campaign.