TIM KRUL has angrily dismissed suggestions that Newcastle United have nothing left to play for this season, and expressed confidence that Siem de Jong will transform the Magpies’ attacking options when he returns to the side.

Out of the FA Cup following their third-round defeat at Leicester City, unlikely to qualify for Europe given the nine-point gap that separates them from fifth position and seemingly at no risk of relegation as they sit in the top half of the table, it could be argued that Newcastle will simply be going through the motions in the final four months of the campaign.

The arrival of a new head coach could provide some much-needed impetus, although the longer the current status quo remains, the more it becomes likely that John Carver will be asked to remain in caretaker charge until the end of the season.

That would create even more opportunity for a sense of drift, but Krul insists that professional pride and a desire to finish as high up the league as possible will ensure Newcastle’s players do not allow their focus to wander between now and May.

“I’d strongly disagree with anyone who was saying there’s not much to play for now,” said the goalkeeper, who returned from a six-week injury absence as the Magpies slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea last weekend.

“The Premier League is so tight that if we go on one of those runs like we went on in November, we can be right up there with the top teams in no time.

“We have to believe that, and the way we played in the first half at Chelsea was just about the best we’ve seen. I was really impressed with (Remy) Cabella, and (Jack) Colback and (Vurnon) Anita in midfield. I’m really excited for the games to come.”

In particular, Krul is looking forward to welcoming de Jong back into the fold, with his fellow Dutchman due to resume full training in around a fortnight’s time.

Hailed as Newcastle’s key summer signing when he completed a £4.5m move from Ajax in July, de Jong made just one Premier League start before suffering a torn thigh muscle that has sidelined him for the last four months.

In his absence, Newcastle have lacked midfield creativity and struggled to find a natural fit for the pivotal ‘number ten’ role, and his return will enhance the side’s attacking options at a time when Papiss Cisse is unavailable because of his responsibilities with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Siem can bring a bit of quality in the final third,” said Krul. “He’s a great finisher, and especially when he plays just behind the striker, he’s amazing, really smart.

“He just takes up the right positions. He’s a little bit like (Cesc) Fabregas in that respect, he can get on the ball and make things happen. He’s also got goals in him, and we need that. If you create four or five chances like we did in the first half at Chelsea, you have to be sticking at least one of them away.”

As well as de Jong, both Gabriel Obertan and Rolando Aarons are also approaching full fitness following injury-hit campaigns that have seen flashes of inspiration interspersed with infuriatingly lengthy lay-offs.

“If we can get those players back, it’ll make a difference,” said Krul. “Obviously, you shouldn’t put the expectations too high, but we’ve got players to come in who can improve us. It’s not nice to be out of the cup, but we’ve got 17 games to go in the Premier League and we have to focus on them now.”

Meanwhile, Jonas Gutierrez has spoken of his pride after scoring his first goal since his return from treatment for testicular cancer.

Gutierrez curled home from 20 yards as Newcastle’s development side drew 1-1 with Bolton on Monday night, with Carver watching on from the sidelines, and is pushing hard for a return to the first-team squad.

“The most important thing is to get fit and play games,” he said. “Of course, you always want to win, but for me it’s about trying to get fit and do the best in training and give 100 per cent.

“It’s always nice waking up in the morning and knowing I have to train – with the chemotherapy and the treatment, I wasn’t allowed to do it. I missed it a lot and I enjoy it more than ever.”