Newcastle's Tim Krul Injury Doubt For Stoke Match

Newcastle United's star goalkeeper Tim Krul sat out training yesterday with a back spasm and is a doubt for tomorrow's home game against Stoke City. Magpies boss Alan Pardew said at yesterday's press conference that he expects Krul to be fit to play on Saturday after some rest, but that he is not concerned about the untested back-up keeper Rob Elliott coming in to play at the weekend if required. Pardew said;

€œTim had a little spasm in his back, we didn€™t see a problem with that.€ €œIt should go away. If not, Robbie Elliot will play and Robbie€™s been absolutely brilliant in the background here.€

Elliott, who was signed from Charlton for a nominal fee in the summer, has only played once in the first team for Newcastle, conceding three and looking nervous in the 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup in September. But Pardew thinks Elliott would do a good job for the Toon if called upon.

€œIn some ways I wouldn€™t be against him playing, so if I think Tim is in any doubt, he won€™t play.€ €œWe€™re calm and we€™ve got momentum. There€™s a good feeling at the training ground and that makes us dangerous, I think.€

Newcastle's other goalkeeping options are Steve Harper, but he has struggled for fitness this season and has been out of favour at the club for the past year. Meanwhile, Fraser Foster is enjoying his second spell on loan at Celtic and is expected to leave for first-team football in the summer. Tim Krul has only sat out one first team game for United this season (the aforementioned Forest match) and has consistently been one of the club's best players.