Alan Pardew Set To Raid Newcastle For Former Lieutenant

Andy Woodman may be heading home...

By Chris Waugh /

Alan Pardew looks like he will finally be reunited with his former Newcastle United goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman - but only if Crystal Palace meet the Magpies' compensation demands. The Shields Gazette claim that Woodman, who was not present for Newcastle's 2-1 loss to York City at Bootham Crescent on Wednesday, is likely to move to south London but Palace are unhappy with the fee they will need to pay for the coach. Eric Steele could replace Woodman at Newcastle, but the Geordie is now the Football Association's youth goalkeeping coach so Steve McClaren may not be able to tempt his former lieutenant to join up with him once more.
Interestingly, Andy Woodman's son, Freddie, has also left Tyneside for Crawley Town on loan until January. Former Newcastle boss Pardew is continuing to monitor Andy Woodman€™s situation at St James€™ Park - as he would love to be reunited with the Magpies goalkeeping coach. A former stopper himself, goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman has been at Newcastle since December 2010 - when he joined up with his former Palace teammate Pardew once more, having already worked on his staff at both West Ham United and Charlton Athletic. Having enjoyed an 18-year-old playing career with the likes of Northampton Town, Brentford, Colchester United, Oxford United and Stevenage Borough, Woodman was forced to retire through injury while at Rushden & Diamonds. He became the club€™s assistant boss before joining Pardew at West Ham, and he has pretty much followed the ex-Newcastle boss€™ career ever since - except to Southampton, and now at Palace. Pardew is also believed to be chasing Magpies captain Fabricio Coloccini this summer. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.