Steve Bruce reveals his plan for Freddie Woodman at Newcastle United

Woodman has spent the season gaining first-team experience at Championship club Swansea City – and the goalkeeper is keen to return to the Liberty Stadium next season.

"I think the club know and the fans know that I absolutely love it here," said the 23-year-old, who is attracting interest from a number of clubs. "I’d love to carry on next season. When you’re enjoying your footy, and enjoying where you live, it makes life so much easier.

"But in football it's not really up to the player's choice – it's about the clubs."

Bruce is open to loaning out Woodman again. However, the England Under-21 international would have to sign a new longer-term contract as his deal expires next summer.

On Woodman’s future, Bruce said: “It’s vitally important he’s getting game time, like the Dean Henderson situation at Man United.

“He’s playing, and it’s important for his career too that he’s playing regularly. We’ve taken up the option on him, and in an ideal world we let him back out on loan again. That’s probably where we’re at.

“We’ve very fortunate to have (Martin) Dubravka, and Karl Darlow reminding us all what a good goalkeeper he is. So in that department, we’re delighted with what we have got. We’re very, very strong.”

United have signed Newcastle-born goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, who had left Motherwell as a free agent this summer. Bruce said: “We welcome Mark on board. He’ll be a welcome addition to the squad.”