Swansea City may well have been given a boost in their pursuit of signing Freddie Woodman permanently this summer, with Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl telling Hampshire Live that both Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster are set to remain as the club's two first team options in goal. 

These comments come after recent reports linked the Saints with a move for the 24-year-old Newcastle United keeper who is currently on loan with the Swans as they bid to return to the Premier League once more.

Woodman has been ever present in his second successive campaign on loan at the Liberty Stadium, making 51 appearances across all competitions for Steve Cooper's side as they stand just one win away from making their return to the top flight as they prepare to take on Brentford in the Championship play-off final later this month.

The Swans are said to be keen keen on keeping the shot stopper in South Wales on a permanent basis and their hopes may have been given a boost after Hasenhuttl stated the following about his club's current goalkeeping situation:

"I expect a battle in pre-season between Forster and McCarthy to see who is then going to start. 

"If you are allowed to start, it doesn’t mean you also end up as a number one the whole season.

"I want to have this battle. I want to have two goalkeepers that are competing for this position.

"That should normally lead to a better performance from everybody."

Woodman currently has two years remaining on his current contract with Newcastle and has only made four first team appearances for the Magpies since joining them in 2013 from Crystal Palace.

The Verdict 

Signing Woodman is sure to be a big priority for Swansea if they get promoted but if they don't achieve their goal at Wembley, I can see him playing his football elsewhere next season.

He has been nothing short of superb for the Championship side over the course of a couple of seasons now and fully deserves the praise coming his way.

Newcastle certainly have a big decision to make over the 24-year-old's future come the summer, as interest in signing him from other clubs seems to be building all the time.

Cooper will be hopeful of convincing the player to stay put with the South Wales club but Woodman's future is bound to hinge on what division the Swans find themselves in come full time in the capital on Saturday.