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Newcastle may be forced to ask rookie keeper Freddie Woodman to hold Spurs at bay in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup quarter-final at White Hart Lane, reports Alan Oliver in the Sunday People.

The 17-year-old son of Toon coach Andy Woodman is in line for his debut as the Magpies do not want third-choice shot-stopper Jak Alnwick getting injured and missing Sunday’s derby with bitter rivals Sunderland.

Toon boss Alan Pardew goes into the Christmas period without his No.1 Tim Krul and the Holland star’s deputy Rob Elliot only lasted until half-time as Newcastle ended Chelsea’s unbeaten run at St James’ Park last weekend.

Elliot limped off with a pulled thigh muscle, which will sideline him for a couple of weeks, leaving Alnwick to keep out Jose Mourinho’s table-toppers.

(Image: Mike Hewitt)

The Northumberland-born keeper, 21, lined up against Arsenal at the Emirates last night, with Woodman on the bench.

A Newcastle source told Sunday People Sport: “We could not rate Freddie higher. But would it be fair to play him in a derby match of such high intensity against Sunderland, which is what Alan Pardew would have to do if Jak got injured at Spurs?

“Pardew is now starting his fifth year in charge and whether to play Jak or Freddie at Spurs is probably one of the hardest decisions he has had to make.”

Newcastle were prepared to release Alnwick at the end of the season as England Under-17 keeper Freddie Woodman emerged as such an exciting prospect. But Alnwick has been wrapped in cotton wool this week with Krul and Elliot both in the treatment room.