STEVE McCLAREN is banking on some good news on the injury front after Tim Krul’s season-ending blow left Newcastle United with the longest list of absentees in the Premier League.

The Magpies - who are likely to lodge a compensation claim to FIFA for Krul's lay-off under the Club Protection Programme - have 13 players undergoing treatment for varying problems, ahead of McClaren preparing his squad for an important game against Norwich City on Sunday when he hopes his wait for a first league win under his watch will be over.

Newcastle’s head coach has not ruled out a number of those being available to face the Canaries, although there are no guarantees that any of them could be fit to figure at St James’ Park at this stage.

The most significant area of concern is at the back following the injuries sustained on international duty by Krul and his Holland team-mate Daryl Janmaat.

McClaren still hopes Janmaat will be able to play, provided he responds to treatment for the remainder of the week, but he will not take a risk if there is a chance the knee injury will worsen.

Kevin Mbabu, who hobbled off with a hamstring complaint at Manchester City in Newcastle’s last outing, could be fit, but the chances of Massadio Haidara, Steven Taylor, Paul Dummett and Curtis Good are not so good.

It means McClaren only has centre-backs Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson, Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba to fill the back four roles, although he is weighing up options from the Under-21s.

Even the shortage of defenders does not compare to McClaren’s goalkeeping headache following confirmation that Krul will not play again until next season.

While that has ended the Dutchman’s own hopes of appearing in next summer’s European Championships – although Holland must defeat the Czech Republic tonight to stand a chance – it is a major setback for McClaren.

With Karl Darlow still recovering from an ankle problem and no return date set, Newcastle have recalled 18-year-old Freddie Woodman from Crawley Town to cover for the more experienced Rob Elliot.

Elliot, who has returned from duty with the Republic of Ireland squad, looks set to be the man to benefit from Krul’s injury by starting his first Premier League game in ten months against Norwich.

Until former Nottingham Forest keeper Darlow returns to fitness, Elliot is the only shot-stopper with experience for McClaren to call on.

And because Newcastle registered four goalkeepers as part of their Premier League squad they are unable to apply to the Football Association for an emergency loan. That also means Steve Harper, the club’s former player, is not in a position to re-sign two years after leaving to join Hull.

Harper said: "I'm keeping myself fit but it is irrelevant sadly as they have a 25-man squad which they can't add to but I've had a load of phone calls over the summer.

“I played the last seven games of the season and I enjoyed last year. I kept four clean sheets in nine Premier League games, not bad for an old man.

“But we'll see ... I've had a million phone calls from all sorts of agents asking me about this, that and the other. It was Denmark last week and a couple of calls more recently.

“I'll keep ticking over, obviously you can't go on forever but if something does come up which ticks all the boxes then I'd certainly jump at the opportunity.”

Newcastle, meanwhile, could be due around £1m in compensation for Krul if their claim to FIFA is successful based on the length of time he is out and on his salary, although it will not be received in a lump sum and could take months to sort out.

NEWCASTLE’S UNLUCKY 13

Tim Krul (knee)

Kevin Mbabu (hamstring)

Daryl Janmaat (knee)

Gabriel Obertan (hamstring)

Jack Colback (hamstring)

Rolando Aarons (calf/shin)

Massadio Haidara (knee)

Karl Darlow (ankle)

Steven Taylor (hamstring)

Paul Dummett (hamstring)

Emmanuel Riviere (knee)

Curtis Good (hip/thigh)

Sylvain Marveaux (groin)