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Newcastle United goalkeeper Matz Sels is understood to be on the radar of his former club KAA Gent ahead of the January window.

Belgian sources state that Gent are in the market for a new keeper and Sels is deemed as a viable option this winter on a loan deal.

The 24-year-old has not played since the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa when the shot-stopper became the target of Twitter trolls.

Back then Rafa Benitez said: “It’s better to ignore that and concentrate on your football - that is what you can improve.

“Ignore that, listen to your goalkeeping coach and that’s how you can improve and make yourself better.”

poll loading Who is Newcastle's number one? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR Karl Darlow Matz Sels Freddie Woodman Rob Elliot

Benitez opted to rest Sels in the aftermath of the game at Villa Park and since then Karl Darlow has been in terrific form.

What happens next for Sels is uncertain, with Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Rob Elliot now back to full fitness following a knee injury.

The big question will be who will play in goal at Hull City in next week’s EFL Cup quarter-final at the KC Stadium.

If Benitez does decide to rest Darlow it will be a close call between Elliot and Sels.

Elliot was player of the season last term and would arguably have started the season as No 1 had he not been recovering from a knee injury.

However, Newcastle would have to consider an approach for Sels carefully with Tim Krul on loan at Ajax and Fred Woodman also likely to be moved out to a Football League club next year.

Woodman is also believed to be attracting interest from a couple of SPL sides.