Eddie Howe confirms ‘motivated’ £20m Newcastle man is still in his plans

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Newcastle United have a plethora of goalkeepers from which to choose.

While Nick Pope is back up to full fitness and has so far impressed for much of this season, the options behind him are plentiful for Newcastle.

Martin Dubravka remained at St James’ Park despite so many links with a move away, while Mark Gillespie was handed a new contract reasonably recently.

They alone represent three options for Eddie Howe but the club’s summer business saw them bring two more custodians into the squad.

John Ruddy has arrived, albeit there isn’t much of a plan to see the one-cap England veteran make a competitive appearance any time soon.

Odysseas Vlachodimos also came in from Nottingham Forest for a reported £20m but has so far not been included in a match day squad, having been linked with an exit not long after joining.

Still, Howe has now suggested the Greek international does indeed remain part of his plans.

Eddie Howe drops new hint about Newcastle United star

Speaking to The Chronicle, Howe suggested the former Forest stopper is in the first-team picture at Newcastle.

“He’s fighting for his place,” he said.

“That [being written off] will just fire Ody up. He is a motivated character and will just get his head down and work hard.”

Odysseas Vlachodimos rejected a move away from Newcastle

The Greece star was reportedly told he would likely not feature in the first-team all too much during the transfer window.

Still, having settled in the North East after leaving Nottingham, Vlachodimos is believed to have rejected the chance to leave Newcastle so quickly.

As frustrating as that may have been during a period in which the club were struggling to sign players, it is understandable from a player’s perspective.

Millionaire footballers they may well be but players are human beings. Moving families around at the drop of the hat cannot really be expected of anyone, particularly when they have a contract.

Vlachodimos has every right to remain a Newcastle player.