FREDDIE WOODMAN admits he is growing frustrated at his failure to break into Newcastle United’s first team, but the teenage goalkeeper remains determined to prove himself at St James’ Park.

Woodman will represent England at the European Under-19 Championships in Germany next month, having helped Aidy Boothroyd’s side qualify for the finals with a string of impressive displays at representative level.

However, while his international fortunes go from strength to strength, his club career is still to really get off the ground as he continues to wait for his senior debut with the Magpies.

Having moved to Crawley Town on loan last season, Woodman was recalled to Tyneside when Tim Krul damaged his cruciate ligaments in October.

Rob Elliot’s knee injury moved him even closer to the first team, but while he was promoted to the substitutes’ bench for the final two months of last season, Karl Darlow’s performances meant he was unable to break into Rafael Benitez’s line-up.

Having tasted first-team action in League Two, he admits it was frustrating to find himself back on the sidelines, but with Newcastle likely to sell at least one of their experienced shot-stoppers following their relegation to the Championship, the 19-year-old remains determined to prove himself with the Magpies.

“I’ve been close (to making his debut) so many times,” said Woodman. “At the end of the season, I’d been on the bench nearly 30 times and not to get a game is so frustrating, but I’m still young, I’m still learning.

“I’m at my happiest when I’m playing, but I have to keep going, be patient and I know my chance will come as long as I keep my standards high and keep the good habits that I’ve got.

“If I can come back here and I’ve got a chance of having a crack at the fist team, I’ll definitely give it a go.”

Woodman, who is the son of former Newcastle goalkeeping coach, Andy, made 12 senior appearances for Crawley prior to his recall last October.

His temporary employers went on to finish 20th in League Two, but while his experiences at Broadfield Stadium are hardly comparable to playing in the Premier League, he feels his loan spell was crucial in furthering his development.

“I felt like I came back more respected,” said Woodman, in an interview with Newcastle's official website. “I’ve played games in the league now, and I wasn’t just a kid from the academy coming up. I felt good in myself, I felt confident, I felt strong.

“I’d come off the back of 12 good games in League Two, three or four good clean sheets, so I was happy.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle have confirmed a pre-season game at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium on Wednesday, July 20 (7.45pm).

The friendly is Newcastle’s second of the summer, with the Magpies having already confirmed a match at Irish side Bohemian on Saturday, July 16 (2pm).