PHIL Parkinson has singled out City’s new goalkeeping recruit Jak Alnwick for his “incredible courage” as the Newcastle United youngster begins a loan spell until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old is in the squad for this afternoon’s trip to Notts County – and could play if Parkinson decides to protect Ben Williams ahead of Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay.

But Alnwick, who is out of contract at the Magpies in the summer, is used to being thrust straight into action after suddenly finding himself deputising in Newcastle’s goal over Christmas when both senior stoppers were injured.

Parkinson said: “He’s handled big occasions and what a challenge that was.

“He’s shown incredible courage coming off the bench against Chelsea and playing as well as he did.

“Jak’s determined to make an impression here. He’s a young lad but we’ve got a really good experienced keeper in Ben and that will be good competition.

“We had a chance with a couple of youngsters who had no first-team experience at all. But we’ve got Matty Urwin who hasn’t played.

“The fact that Jak has played those Premier League games so recently helps us.”

Parkinson admitted it had been a struggle finding a suitable replacement for Jordan Pickford once Sunderland made it clear they would be taking him back.

“It’s been really difficult,” added the City boss.

“All the Premier League clubs want to keep three keepers but it’s also the same in the Championship. They don’t want to let anyone out.

“Fortunately for us John Carver let us have Jak because Robbie Elliot has come back fit. They’ve also got young Freddie Woodman who has been used on the bench as well.

“On the other side of that, I promised Matty Urwin he could go on loan. He’s been with us all season and his attitude has been brilliant but he’s only played one game.

“I’ve got to be fair to him, as we were with Olly McBurnie, and he needs to go out and play. But I could only consider letting him go when we got another keeper in.”