West Ham start their Premier League campaign this weekend with a trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Hammers will be hoping to replicate their successes of last season in the 2021/22 campaign as David Moyes‘ side learn to cope with life in the Europa League alongside domestic matters.
Despite only adding goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to the first-team ranks so far this summer, the Irons have been handed a boost from their opposition when it comes to team selection.
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce confirmed during a pre-match press conference that 24-year-old stopper Freddie Woodman would make a Premier League debut this weekend.
Twitter: SB on the goalkeeping situation:
“Martin’s not fit and it doesn’t look as if Karl Darlow is going to be right afte… https://t.co/BFftwiQy9t (@NUFC)
Martin Dubravka missed a majority of last season through injury and Karl Darlow managed to deputise well in the Slovakian’s absence.
However, Woodman, an Under 21 England youth international, is yet to feature in the top-flight having come through the ranks in the North East.
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Valued at £9million (Transfermarkt) and with 183 games under his belt, the London-born ‘keeper will no doubt be optimistic over being able to give a good account of his abilities.
Irons’ boss Moyes faces a goalkeeping selection headache of a very different kind to his opposite number for the opening day.
New signing Areola, reliable backup Darren Randolph and regular number one Lukasz Fabianski will all be vying for a place in the starting XI from the get-go.
