WHILE Steve Bruce was having to contend with tired legs in their pre-season draw with Rotherham United, he still has bigger fish to fry figuring out what to do with his goalkeepers.

With Martin Dubravka set for a spell on the sidelines after foot surgery and Karl Darlow still recovering from Covid-19 after recently being released from hospital, Bruce is currently trying to come up with a solution where he's admitted to the possibility of naming four goalkeepers in his Premier League squad. 

Freddie Woodman and Mark Gillespie got 45 minutes each in last night's friendly draw with the Millers with Woodman conceding in the first half to Michael Smith's header.

Woodman was set to go out on loan during the summer but Bruce was forced to renege on that decision follow setbacks to Dubravka and then later with Darlow. 

"I understand and we all agree that with Freddie, it's best to keep playing him because he's played for two years" admitted Bruce. 

"He was close to going to Bournemouth on loan, this was before Dubravka had his problem and then before Karl Darlow has had his.

"Mine is I've got to protect the club. Maybe in a week, 10 days, we'll see how Martin is, see how Karl is.

"But I can't take the risk yet, that's for sure. No chance. I might have to register four goalkeepers."

It appears now that while Newcastle monitor the progress of Dubravka and Darlow, the number one spot in the side is Woodman's to lose heading into the Premier League season/ 

While Newcastle ponder their next moves with their goalkeeping crisis, there are still plenty of outfield players who are out of action and suffering from injury or illness. 

Jonjo Shelvey is still recovering from a calf problem picked up before pre-season while Allan St Maximin missed last night's friendly due to illness. 

On a brighter note, some of Newcastle's attacking players are expected to return to action soon. 

Joelinton received a knock in the friendly defeat to York City while Miguel Almiron has been on international duty at the Copa America with Paraguay. Both are expected to be back in the fold soon. 

"I think he'll (Joelinton) be available Friday. He's trained the last two days. So he'll be available and Miggy (Almiron) comes back on Monday" Bruce said.

Newcastle's next pre-season friendly is against League One side Burton Albion this Friday at the Pirelli Stadium.