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Loan Watch: Woodman wins Championship golden glove award
Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman picked up the Championship’s golden glove award in recognition of his 20 clean sheets on loan at Swansea City this season.
Woodman, 24, has spent the entirety of the last two campaigns on loan at the Liberty Stadium, helping Steve Cooper’s men book their place in the play-offs just a few weeks ago.
They will now face Barnsley over two legs in the semi-final as both sides battle for a place in the Wembley final, but before they go head-to-head Woodman collected the award for the most clean sheets in the division this term.
The Magpies stopper’s tally of 20 was two more than his nearest rival, former United goalkeeper Tim Krul, who recorded 18 shut-outs for champions Norwich City.
Woodman, who also helped the Swans make the play-offs last season, has played in 45 of their 46 league games this season, and is likely to feature in the first leg against the Tykes on Monday night.
Meanwhile, young defender Kell Watts has been discharged from hospital after suffering a concerning head injury while in action for Plymouth Argyle at the weekend.
Watts collided with Gillingham forward Vadaine Oliver and received lengthy treatment on the pitch at Priestfield before being taken to hospital.
But the Pilgrims have confirmed that the 21-year-old is now recovering back home after the injury, and has received the all-clear.
That was Watts’ final game of his loan spell with Plymouth, in which he became a regular over the course of the League One campaign, making 50 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals during his time at Home Park.
It was a difficult afternoon for Lewis Cass’ Hartlepool United, meanwhile, as they were beaten 4-2 at home by Maidenhead United in the National League.
The result means Pools are now likely to feature in the play-offs come the end of the season, with Cass introduced as a 53rd-minute substitute at Victoria Park.
Elsewhere, Florian Lejeune’s Alaves fought back to record a 2-2 draw with Levante, with former Magpies frontman Joselu grabbing their equaliser in Spain.
French defender Lejeune played the full 90 minutes for the La Liga outfit.
But Yoshinori Muto didn’t make it off the bench as his Eibar side beat Getafe 1-0, though they remain bottom of the table and two points from safety.
And in Holland, Elias Sørensen wasn’t part of the Almere City squad who kept their hopes of promotion to the Eredivisie alive with a 3-1 win over Utrecht’s second team.
Photograph courtesy of Swansea City AFC