McClaren confident Krul will get back to his best

Rob Conlon
Tim Krul - Goalkeeper will miss the rest of season with injury

Tim Krul - Goalkeeper will miss the rest of season with injury

Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren has backed goalkeeper Tim Krul to make a full recovery from his season-ending knee injury.

Krul ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Holland’s 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan, ruling the 27-year-old out of the rest of the 2015-16.

Former England manager McClaren admits the stopper now faces a “difficult time”, but is adamant he can return back to his best.

“I spoke to him on the morning of the game, he wasn’t playing and – selfishly – I thought that was good, because then he would be fit for us. Then I got the news, the severity of the injury and how he did it, and it’s a massive blow,” the 54-year-old told the club’s official website.

“Tim is a big part of us – he’s a big player, a leader in the dressing room, and his goal was to establish himself in the Dutch side going forward. We will miss him for the rest of the season, and he loses seven or eight months of his career.

“It’s going to be a very difficult time for him but Tim is strong, single-minded and he will come back from this injury. I’ve seen plenty of players go through this and come back just as strong, so we have no worries or concerns about what Tim will go through. The treatment and rehab he will get from us will be first class.”

The injury has given the Magpies somewhat of a goalkeeper crisis, which has led to the recalling of 18-year-old Freddie Woodman from a loan spell at Crawley Town.

With Karl Darlow also injured, Republic of Ireland international Rob Elliot is likely to deputise against Norwich City on Sunday.

“I’ve been impressed by Rob from day one when I came into the club,” McClaren added.

“He’s very vocal in the dressing room, is a senior player with good experience and is not afraid to say things. That is vital, and this situation gives Rob an opportunity to show what he can do.”

Can Newcastle cope without Tim Krul? Discuss their prospects on our Newcastle Your Say forum.