Newcastle United could use their goalkeeping situation to help increase their Champions League squad number.
UEFA squad rules differ from the Premier League, with the Magpies needing to name at least four ‘club-trained’ players – players who were on a club's books for three years between the ages of 15 and 21 – in order to fill the full 25-man quota.
As it stands, Sean Longstaff is United’s only club-trained player. Although Lewis Miley is also technically club-trained, the 19-year-old doesn’t need to be named in the main squad list due to being under the age of 21.
For every club-trained player Newcastle omit, they lose one place in the 25-man squad. Currently, they would only be able to name 22 players, though that would be reduced to 21 if Longstaff, who is facing an uncertain future, is sold.
Fraser Forster linked with Newcastle United return
As a way of bolstering the squad numbers for the Champions League, Eddie Howe’s side have been alerted to the availability of former academy graduate Forster.
Forster joined the Magpies aged 15 but failed to make a competitive appearance before making a name for himself at Celtic and Southampton. The 37-year-old has spent the last three years as a back-up option at Tottenham Hotspur but is due to be released on June 30.
He told The Times two years ago that it was his dream to play at St James’ Park. He said: “It would have been to have played one game for them at St James’ Park. To be a Newcastle fan, that’s every kid’s dream to play at St James’, in front of 52,000. Over there it means so much being a Geordie and playing for Newcastle.”
Tim Krul return to Newcastle United unlikely
Another goalkeeper who is due to become a free agent next month and is Newcastle club-trained is Tim Krul.
Krul - born and raised in the Netherlands - moved to Tyneside in 2005 as a 17-year-old and enjoyed a memorable debut by keeping a clean sheet in Newcastle’s 1-0 UEFA Cup victory away to Palermo
The 37-year-old went on to make 184 appearances for Newcastle before leaving following relegation from the Premier League in 2016. Krul has signed for Brighton & Hove Albion, Norwich City and Luton Town in that time but retains a strong love for the Magpies.
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Sources close to the Dutchman suggest he would be open to an offer but does not expect the call.
Newcastle United goalkeeper situation
Whether Newcastle move for Forster is likely to be dependent on the future of veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy, who is out of contract on June 30 but remains in talks over a possible new deal.
Asked about the goalkeeping situation last month, Howe said: "It’s has been slightly difficult this year. We have a high number of goalkeepers which probably hasn't been ideal.
"Those players have handled that situation very, very well. It's not easy. They have been really good professionals, all of them.
"They have created a really good team network and trained really well. They have helped whoever has been playing be at their best for match day. I am full of compliments for them. But let's wait and see."
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