Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey believes that Freddie Woodman is a very good goalkeeper.

Woodman spent last season out on loan at Swansea City, where he kept 22 clean sheets in 52 games in all competitions. It was Woodman’s second loan spell with the Swans, as he spent the previous season also on loan at the Liberty Stadium, where he played 43 games and kept 12 clean sheets.

The 24-year-old was tipped to go out on loan again this season, with AFC Bournemouth touted as the destination for Woodman, but after injury to Martin Dubravka, which saw the shot-stopper require surgery, Woodman has remained at St James’ Park this summer.

Woodman featured in the Magpies' first Premier League match of the season against West Ham United last weekend, saving a penalty, and Howey was full of praise for the shot-stopper

“I think he’s done his kind of work away from the club, I haven’t seen much of him at Newcastle, but apparently at Swansea last season he was excellent. Everybody has been touting him for years, he will be a very good goalkeeper and I think he is a very good goalkeeper,” Howey exclusively told Football FanCast.

When all are fit, Newcastle United have four good goalkeepers amongst their ranks with Dubravka, Darlow, Gillespie and Woodman, so there is going to be healthy competition for the number one jersey at St James’ Park this season.