NEWCASTLE UNITED have confirmed that Tim Krul will miss the rest of the season after damaging his knee ligaments while on international duty last night.

Krul was stretchered off in the 81st minute of Holland's victory over Kazakhstan in the Astana Arena, and the severity of the problem was immediately obvious.

The goalkeeper was sent for a series of scans, and the results have confirmed the worst fears of Newcastle's medical department.

Krul has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee, and will be sidelined for the remaining seven months of the season.

The injury is a massive blow to the Magpies, who will now have to cope without their first-choice goalkeeper as they attempt to haul themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Krul has been one of the Magpies' best players this season, and as well as being one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in the Premier League, the Dutchman is also one of the few senior figures in the dressing room.

Newcastle have recalled youngster Freddie Woodman from his loan spell at Crawley Town, but while the teenager is regarded as a future superstar following his impressive performances in the England youth set up, Steve McClaren would be extremely reluctant to thrust him into the first-team picture at such an early stage of his career.

Karl Darlow, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, is regarded as Krul's deputy, but he is still working his way back to full fitness after twisting his ankle last month, and it is doubtful that he will be available for Sunday's home game with Norwich City.

As a result, Rob Elliot is likely to find himself in Newcastle's starting line-up to face the Canaries. Elliot is currently providing cover for the Republic of Ireland squad following Shay Given's injury against Germany last week.