Aaron Ramsdale still of interest to Newcastle United as goalkeeper situation shows no sign of clearing up

We've been struggling since the summer to make sense of Newcastle United's goalkeeper situation and in the January transfer window things are getting more murky if anything.

Nick Pope is working his way back to fitness with Martin Dubravka deputising brilliantly for the in-and-out England international. In fact, there are calls for Dubravka to keep his place when Pope returns to fitness after his recent form.

However, were it not for Pope's injury, we'd almost certainly be saying goodbye to Martin Dubravka this month. There's still a chance of that happening, but that does appear to be dwindling now.

Newcastle have three more goalkeepers below Dubravka: Odysseas Vlachodimos, the £20 million summer signing nobody wanted, as Eddie Howe seems determined to crush his spirit completely. Then there's John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie, the sentient training dummies.

Odysseas Vlachodimos could start against Bromley on Sunday

So with Eddie Howe reluctant to give Odysseas Vlachodimos any real shot at the first team - he is expected to play on Sunday against Bromley - Dubravka is our only real fit first-team goalkeeper right now.

Eddie Howe told the media on Friday morning that he is talking to Dubravka in an attempt to get him to stay at Newcastle beyond his current contract which expires later this year.

"There's always lots of different sides to a situation, it is never as clear as the outside people may think. Martin has been performing really well and has been the model professional. We want to keep him. He has never said he wants to leave. So hopefully we can find the right decision."

Could Aaron Ramsdale make the long-mooted switch to Tyneside in the summer?

Meanwhile, the pursuit of a replacement has been underway since the summer, despite the £20 million signing of Odysseas.

James Trafford is a name that hasn't gone away as Newcastle seem to be very keen on the young Burnley stopper. But with Burnley chasing promotion again, they will be reluctant to sell.

Aaron Ramsdale is back on the menu, however, according to The Chronicle. The former Arsenal 'keeper was strongly linked to Newcastle before he moved to Premier League strugglers Southampton.

Given The Saints' current predicament, Ramsdale could be easier to lure away in the summer if Southampton face the drop. By the summer, we should be much clearer on what's actually happening with our goalkeepers with Ruddy's contract up and Dubravka's future sorted whichever way.