Newcastle v Sunderland: Goalkeeper Jak Alnwick passed fit

Jak Alnwick
Jak Alnwick is the younger brother of former Sunderland and Spurs goalkeeper Ben - now at Peterborough

Newcastle United goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is fit to face Sunderland in Sunday's Premier League Tyne-Wear derby.

The 21-year-old third-choice stopper had been doubtful after injuring his shoulder in Wednesday's 4-0 Capital One Cup quarter-final defeat at Tottenham.

With regular number one Tim Krul and deputy Rob Elliot already injured, 17-year-old Freddie Woodman was on the substitutes' bench at White Hart Lane.

The teenager could continue in that role for this weekend's game.

Before Alnwick was passed fit, United manager Alan Pardew was planning to speak to the Premier League about the possibility of signing a goalkeeper on an emergency loan.

With the transfer window not due to open until 1 January, Newcastle need special dispensation to boost their goalkeeping options.

Premier League guidelines state that clubs with only one fit and available goalkeeper are technically eligible to make an emergency loan signing.

Karl Darlow, 24, might have been an option for the Magpies, but he is on loan at Championship club Nottingham Forest for the entire season and cannot be recalled.

A Premier League precedent
Manchester City signed Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop on an emergency loan in April 2010 with Shay Given and Stuart Taylor injured and Joe Hart out on loan at Birmingham.

Newcastle have conceded eight goals in their last two matches, beaten 4-1 by Arsenal in the Premier League before losing 4-0 at Spurs in Wednesday's League Cup tie.

Netherlands goalkeeper Krul, 26, is out with an ankle injury suffered in training at the start of December, while Elliot, 28, tore a thigh muscle during last weekend's 2-1 win against Chelsea.

England Under-19 keeper Woodman, the son of Newcastle goalkeeping coach Andy, had a loan spell at Hartlepool earlier this season but never made their first team.