Krul to cover for Given

[Scottish Mag 3]

Newcastle have recalled Tim Krul from his Christmas break in Holland after Shay Given aggravated a groin problem against Tottenham on Saturday.

 

Given, who has returned in fine form following an operation to rectify a perforated bowel, limped out of the win over Spurs in the dying moments.

 

He was replaced by the man he succeeded on Tyneside some nine years ago, Pavel Srnicek, with the veteran Czech receiving a hero's welcome at St James' Park.

 

Given is a severe doubt for the Boxing Day visit to Bolton, with the developments forcing Roeder to put an emergency call in to Holland.

 

Krul is feeling his way back to fitness following a knee operation, but he could well be asked to spend Boxing Day on the bench at The Reebok.

 

"We have managed to keep it quiet for a few weeks that Shay has had a slight groin problem," said Roeder. "It is unbelievable that he could go five seasons without any problems whatsoever and suddenly at Upton Park earlier in the season, he had an injury that is never seen on a football field, it is only ever seen in car crashes.

 

"We got him back from that, and now he has picked up a groin injury that does not rule him out of the game on Boxing Day yet.

 

"We will be recalling Tim Krul. He was on a flight to Amsterdam at 4pm this afternoon, and he will probably now only get a chance to have breakfast with his parents tomorrow before getting on a plane back to Newcastle."

[Bizza 105]

Shame, thought wor Pav was going to get a start.