Star Newcastle duo keen to ‘lead charge back to Premier League’

Tim Krul and Ayoze Perez have hinted they want to play a part in Newcastle’s fight to regain their Premier League status at the first attempt.

Krul, the 28-year-old goalkeeper, could only watch from afar as the Magpies slipped out of the top flight after suffering a season-ending knee ligament injury while on international duty with Holland in October.

Club officials are currently working to persuade Rafael Benitez to remain as manager amid speculation that many of the bigger names with whom he has worked in recent weeks will leave the club this summer.

However, having watched the club’s remarkable 5-1 final day victory over Tottenham, Krul appears to be ready to roll up his sleeves and get down to work once again.

He tweeted: “Yesterday was a great result for the club in what has been an otherwise incredibly frustrating and disappointing season both for the club and me personally.

“I am still finding it hard to come to terms with what has happened this season, and it’s been devastating for me that I haven’t been able to help us sustain our Premier League status due to injury.

“On a personal level, over the past week or so I have been making big strides in the right direction by training outside with the physio and goalkeeping coach as I continue towards full fitness.

“The fans have been incredible and deserve success. Everyone at the club will be fighting to get Newcastle United back into the Premier League where it belongs.”

Krul is not the only Newcastle keeper to suffer misfortune this season with deputy Rob Elliot having also been struck down by a knee ligament injury to leave third-choice Karl Darlow the man in possession for the final eight games of the campaign.

Meanwhile, striker Perez has indicated his willingness to remain on Tyneside and be part of a promotion push.

Perez, a bargain signing from Tenerife during the summer of 2014, has been linked with potential suitors both in England and abroad during his time at St James’ to date, and the club could yet decide to cash in on him should the right offer come along.

However, asked if he will be staying, the 22-year-old told the Chronicle: “Yes of course. I am with the team, I am with this city and I am with everybody.

“I want to be here to fight for the team and to come back. We need everybody to be together and be like a team.”