UEFA rules could force Newcastle United to bring back goalkeepers who have long since departed St James' Park
Newcastle United will return to Champions League action next season. While that is extremely exciting, it does bring with it some complications.
As part of UEFA's rules, Newcastle must have four homegrown players in their squad for Champions League games; that is, players must have been registered with the club for a minimum of three years between the ages of 15 and 21.
Sean Longstaff is one player who fits that description but he has been hotly tipped to leave the club this summer leaving Eddie Howe with a bit of a situation on his hands.
Lewis Miley can surely be drafted to fill one of the spots, but Newcastle are looking at creative ways to bolster their homegrown contingent.
Newcastle could bring back an old academy graduate for Champions League purposes
According to TalkSPORT, Newcastle are looking at three former academy goalkeepers who have long since left the club.
Tim Krul is set to leave Luton Town this summer, and Newcastle could swoop for the 37-year-old Dutch keeper as he spent several years in the academy at Newcastle.
Similarly, Fraser Forster and Freddie Woodman could do the job of bench-warming in the Champions League to satisfy UEFA's rules.
Newcastle could point towards several U21s who have been with the club more than three years
Forster, 37, was just released by Tottenham Hotspur, whereas 28-year-old Woodman's Preston contract expires at the end of the month.
Of course, these players will only add to the goalkeeper confusion at Newcastle, but needs must.
Like with the Premier League, U21 players don't need to be registered and are eligible to play in Europe, but they can be counted towards the homegrown quota, which does ease the burden somewhat.
