For all the talk of additional reinforcements being required in front of goal, there is a big possibility Newcastle United prove busy at the opposite end of pitch come the summer window.

Given Eddie Howe currently has five shot-stoppers on his books, three of which will likely never play another competitive game for the Magpies, it currently feels like a neglected topic of conversation when dream transfer targets are discussed.

This, due to fact Newcastle currently have a more than capable duo - in Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope - battling it out between now and the end of the season, with Howe, naturally, unwilling to publicly express which one is his favoured option with the latter now off the treatment table.

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The fact that is even a question at present is quite remarkable. Rewind to less than two months ago and Dubravka was firmly the deputy, called upon for cup games only. Pope’s knee injury sustained in the December defeat to Brentford changed all that, with Newcastle’s nine-game winning run while Dubravka was in goal changing the thinking around the goalkeeping department.

Just a few weeks ago the Slovakian was heading towards an exit. With Saudi riches calling, the 36-year-old was very tempted by a hefty pay packet and one final challenge abroad before hanging up his gloves in the coming years.

Newcastle, led by Howe, put a stop to that exit knowing it would leave them short for the remainder of the season. That goes to show how much chance the experienced, and expensive, Odysseus Vlachodimos has of being anywhere near a starting role on Tyneside.

The Greek stopper, 30, has played in Champions League quarter finals and won league titles. He is also still his country’s first choice despite his lack of game time.

But it was a deal Newcastle never wanted to do. However, being forced to ship Elliot Anderson out to Nottingham Forest in a PSR-induced panic, the north east outfit brought Vlachodimos to St James’ Park as a makeweight. Many thought the former Benfica keeper would be challenging Dubravka and Pope for first-team glory this season but were wrong.

Instead, the writing has been on the wall ever since the early stages of the Carabao Cup, when Dubravka got the nod over Vlachodimos for an early round clash at home to Wimbledon. The latter would actually play in the tie but only due to the fact Dubravka could not continue after the half-time interval.

That means Vlachodimos, along with Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy, will likely never get the chance to impress between the sticks for the north east outfit. Couple that with the fact Dubravka has just turned 36 and Pope is also reaching the business end of his career, Newcastle need contingency plans.

The recruitment team inside St James’ Park, in tandem with Howe, have already been assessing potential targets in that position for some time. Last summer saw strong interest in James Trafford but while Burnley oversaw a relegation fire sale of first team players, the Clarets stood firm over their prized No 1.

The Championship side wanted £20m for Trafford’s signature at the start of the season. After only conceding NINE goals in 27 games in recent months, you suspect any interested suitor may have to part with even more this summer.

Trafford is an interesting target. His shot-stopping has improved greatly this year after a frankly dismal season under Vincent Kompany in the Premier League 12 months ago. Yet it is his confidence with the ball at his feet that intrigues many within Newcastle.

Howe’s side have looked so much more assured with a goalkeeper who can build attacks from the back - in Dubravka - while Pope is a superb saver of shots but is uneasy when forced to play with the ball on the ground.

Trafford isn't the only target for sporting director Paul Mitchell and co, who were also keen on Liverpool-bound Giorgi Mamardashvili before the Reds were allowed to swooped in to sign the Valencia keeper. Newcastle also got a glimpse of some other top European talent during their Champions League exploits last term, with Borussia Dortmund No 1 Gregor Kobel a perfect example of a goalkeeper who can play in a hybrid role.

Any signings of that magnitude would likely cost a pretty penny - and as mentioned at the top of this piece, Newcastle will want to use the vast amount of their summer resources on outfield, attacking stars.

However, it is clear that a goalkeeper is on the agenda in the future. For now, it is likely Pope attempts to wrestle back the gloves and then stays at the club beyond the summer. But the former England international will need to raise his game - as he often does - if he is fend off fresh blood sniffing around the No 1 spot into next season.

Seeing what type of profile Newcastle opt for will prove to be one of the more interesting watching briefs of the summer on Tyneside.