Tim Krul luck for Newcastle

Newcastle United have been rocked by the news that first-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul has been ruled out for the rest of the season because of a serious knee injury.

The 27-year-old suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament injury while playing for the Netherlands in Saturday’s 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying win in Kazakhstan.

It was hoped that the injury was not too serious, but Krul confirmed the worst possible news on his Twitter account.

He posted: “I’m devastated the scan has confirmed my biggest fear . . . My recovery and hard work starts now to fully recover.”

Krul has already returned to the north east for treatment but he will almost certainly be out of Magpies’ boss Steve McClaren’s plans for the remainder of the season.

The news will come as a massive blow to the former England manager who has endured a nightmare start to his job at St James’ Park as the team sits bottom of the table with no wins and just three points from their opening eight games.

Krul has played in all eight of Newcastle‘s Premier League games this term and so his injury will offer Republic of Ireland international shot-stopper Rob Elliot the opportunity to hold down the number one jersey.

The 29-year-old is set to start for the Tyneside outfit in Sunday’s top-flight visit of Norwich City, with the Magpies on offer at 2.50 to record a first win of their league campaign, the Canaries trading at 2.75 and the draw priced at 3.30.