Report: Newcastle goalkeeper Nathan Harker is being monitored by Sunderland

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Newcastle United goalkeeper Nathan Harker is reportedly being monitored by rivals Sunderland.

According to the Shields Gazette, Sunderland have recently had the 21-year-old on a trial and he’s now returned to St James’ Park to link up with the Magpies Under-23s side.

It is understood that the Black Cats were impressed by the young shot-stopper and will continue to watch him.

The report explains that Harker is out of contract with Newcastle in the summer and has been informed he can train elsewhere.

Harker spent the first half of the season out on loan at Blyth Spartns in the sixth-tier of English football before returning in December and followed that up with his Sunderland trial.

He’s been a regular in Newcastle’s youth teams in the past after coming through the academy, but has never made a first-team appearance despite featuring on the bench in the FA Cup last season.

TBR’s View:

Harker’s future definitely appears to be away from Newcastle, as he’s a soon-to-be free agent and was on the bench for a recent Under-23s fixture.

The Englishman has been unable to make the breakthrough at Newcastle, but is still extremely young for a goalkeeper and a switch to a new club should help re-energise him.

Steve Bruce’s first-team squad is stacked with decent options in goal and the path through to the seniors like impossible in that position.