Forst out

As if following Kazenga LuaLua's lead - to all intents and purposes a Brighton player who just happens to be owned by us - Fraser Forster has gone back to what he knows for a second loan spell at Celtic.

Earlier in the summer Pardew claimed he had a tough decision to make over who to retain at St James' and who to farm out. However, it seems that Tim Krul - now a full Dutch international and selected for Saturday's curtain-raiser - remains Steve Harper's understudy and probable long-term replacement. The manager's decision might have been influenced by Forster fluffing his big chance to impress in pre-season.

The logic behind Forster's move might be questionable and curious given Pardew's previous comments about the poor quality of Scottish football making loans a waste of time, but it does at least mean the talented youngster remains on our books and will continue to amass first-team experience in front of big crowds.

Of our other loanees, neither LuaLua nor Michael Richardson appeared in their temporary sides' midweek fixtures, though James Tavernier (supported by ex-Newcastle reserve 'keeper Adam Collin) helped Carlisle to another clean sheet away from home.