Keeper situation is not ideal, says United boss

NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe has lifted the lid on the club's goalkeeping situation this season and admits it "wasn't ideal".

- By LEE RYDER

Howe was essentially pushed into signing Nottingham Forest's Greek international Odysseas Vlachodimos in a deal worth around £20million to facilitate Elliot Anderson's departure to the City Ground.

But despite a June vow to be the club's No 1 this season the ex-Benfica man has played just 45 minutes of competitive action in the Carabao Cup against AFC Wimbledon.

Vlachodimos arrived after Newcastle had already agreed to keep Martin Dubravka and signed John Ruddy on a free transfer from Birmingham City, while Mark Gillespie was on the books too.

Nick Pope is ending the season as No 1 but in a campaign in which Howe has named two keepers on the bench sometimes, there's no doubt United have been overloaded with glove men.