A huge source of Newcastle’s woes last season were goalkeeping troubles. The Magpies were forced to field four different goalkeepers over the course of last season due to injuries, including a debilitating cruciate ligament injury to Tim Krul that kept him side-lined from October onwards.
Matz Sels hasn’t quite looked up to standard so far, so the news that Tim Krul is close to full fitness will come as a welcome boon to Newcastle’s season.
Krul has been Newcastle’s first choice keeper for nearly six years and his return will doubtless bolster morale in the Magpies squad.
Back in training, Krul is working one-on-one with goalkeeping coach Simon Smith to try and build up his fitness. “I feel stronger; my body is really coping well” said Krul. “It’s exciting times ahead.”
Krul went on to say that he’ll be training with the other first team goalkeepers in the next week or two, a strong indicator that he could be back on the field in the month to come.
In more welcome news, Crystal Palace are aiming to reinvest the money raised through the sale of Yannick Bolasie by signing Moussa Sissoko, according to The Telegraph.
Newcastle value Sissoko at £35 million after an impressive Euro 2016 campaign, but Palace will doubtless not want to pay that much given their pursuit of a new striker.
Sissoko has continually reiterated that a move away from St James Park is on the cards, and while he may be holding out for a move to Real Madrid, Selhurst Park could be a more realistic destination.
The French international was a regular under Palace boss Alan Pardew during the manager’s time at Newcastle. He has played 133 games for the club but dis reluctance to play in the Championship seems apparent.
Rafa Benitez is keen on a sale, but insists Sissoko will still have a part to play if he stays in the North East. “If somebody comes in with the right offer for us and for everybody, fine. If not, he has to carry on. He is a professional and he has a contract.”
Injury plagued Siem de Jong could have a future at Newcastle despite rumours he could leave, the Shields Gazette reports.
When asked about de Jong’s future, the manager said “I was talking with him. The first thing is to see if he can be fit. I have no doubt about his quality. He’s a player that can help a lot in some games because of his quality and experience.”
Benitez didn’t exactly commit to de Jong’s future at the club, however. “At the same time, he’s like some other players … we have a lot of players at the moment.”
The Dutchman is still a week away from training after missing preseason with a hamstring injury.
De Jong has made just four starts for Newcastle since signing from Ajax two years ago, with consistent injury trouble severely hindering his progress in the Premier League.
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