Newcastle’s Alnwick fit to face Sunderland

Alnwick suffered a shoulder injury in Wednesday night’s 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

And Newcastle were considering asking the Premier League permission to take a goalkeeper on an emergency loan.

But United believe 21-year-old Alnwick will be fit enough to play in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby after he underwent an assessment at the club yesterday.

As such, the club has ruled out an approach to the league.

Any appeal from the club “on its merits” by the league.

The onus would have been on the club to explain how many goalkeepers were injured – and the nature and extent of the injuries.

However, with Alnwick and 17-year-old Freddie Woodman fit, an application would have been rejected.

Karl Darlow is also considered to still be on Newcastle’s books under league rules – even though he is on a season-long loan at Nottingham Forest.

United have previously stated that there is no recall clause in the 24-year-old’s loan deal.

United had been linked with Wigan Athletic’s Ali Al-Habsi, who has made just two appearances for the Championship club this season.

Alnwick – who also started last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium – needed treatment during the Tottenham game.

Were Alnwick to aggravate the problem in training before the Sunderland match, it would be too late to go to the league and ask for an emergency loan.

Any incoming player would have to be registered with the club by noon today.

Speaking after the Tottenham game, Pardew said: “Jak was an ACL on his shoulder, so we’re going to have to see.

“There’s no way a 17-year-old (Woodman) should be allowed to go into a game at this level.

“Perhaps we’ll talk to the Premier League about the situation.”

Pardew – who has defender Daryl Janmaat back from suspension – is also waiting on the Papiss Demba Cisse and Cheik Tiote, who missed the Tottenham game.

“I have I as many players to choose from as possible,” said Pardew.

“Even if you have a slight knock, you have to put yourself at risk.”