Rob Elliot will reluctantly ask for a loan move away from Newcastle this month if he remains third-choice goalkeeper.
The 30-year-old — the club's player of the season last time around — is desperate to prove his fitness after returning from nine months out with a knee injury.
So far, however, he has been limited to two appearances for the Under 23s with Karl Darlow and Matz Sels ahead of him at St James' Park.
Elliot missed Euro 2016 with Republic of Ireland after damaging his ligaments in a friendly against Slovakia in March and manager Martin O'Neil wants to see him play senior football before recalling him for March's World Cup qualifier at home to Wales.