Report: Jude Smith training with Newcastle first-team after wowing coaches

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Newcastle United’s summer signing Jude Smith has reportedly wowed academy coaches with how well he has done since his arrival.

The goalkeeper joined the Magpies from East Fife last month, and is one of multiple youngsters to have arrived at St James’ Park since Dan Ashworth became Sporting Director.

In his role, he will provide a pathway for talented youngsters to make it from the youth side to the first-team. And it sounds like Smith is already on that path.

According to the Chronicle, Smith has amazed coaches with how well he has done in training. In fact, he has done so well that the Chronicle state that he has been training with the first-team.

That’s a huge testament to the 19-year-old’s ability, and he will have aspirations of becoming a Premier League star on Tyneside.

Jude Smith is one for the future at Newcastle despite bright start

While he might be impressing now, it will likely be a long time before we see him make his senior Newcastle debut.

Nick Pope is the Magpies’ number one, and should be for the next few years. He is 30-years-old, so still has a good few years where he should be able to play at the top level.

Newcastle then have multiple backup options, such as Loris Karius, Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie. However, there’s no chance that any of that trio will replace Pope at any point.

But Smith could. That’s why he will have been brought to the club during the summer.

He arrived alongside the likes of Alex Murphy, Charlie McArthur and Jordan Hackett. They were all youth additions, all joining with hope of making it into the first-team in the future.

However, it will not happen overnight. Ashworth will know that, and will have individual plans for each player to ensure they reach their potential.

That includes Smith, who will benefit from training with the Newcastle first-team. That will hopefully be a regular occurrence until he’s ready for his first loan move.