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Tim Krul hints he could stay at Newcastle despite relegation to Championship

Tim Krul has hinted he could play a part in Newcastle's fight to regain their Premier League status at the first attempt.

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 Netherlands 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.