NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Tim Krul has emerged as a potential target for Premier League leaders Chelsea this month.

The 28-year-old is on a season long loan at Ajax and is yet to break into the team after recovering from a long term injury.

Krul still has another year remaining on his contract at St James’ Park so could yet return and fight for his place under Rafael Benitez next season.

But Chelsea’s recruitment team are known to have mentioned him as a contender to replace Asmir Begovic, who is being targeted by Bournemouth.

There are other goalkeepers in the frame for Chelsea to target, although Krul’s top-flight experience and international record has placed him under serious consideration.

Blues boss Antonio Conte has previously considered signing Krul for Juventus but Newcastle would at least hold a strong hand because of the extension to his deal he signed last summer before heading to Ajax.

Benitez is still working on trying to boost his own squad ahead of the final few months of the Championship season.

He has turned his attentions to Swansea winger Modou Barrow in recent days after being left frustrated by Crystal Palace in a bid to take Andros Townsend back to Tyneside.

The Newcastle boss has not given up completely on signing Townsend, but has been told by the boardroom that loan deals with a view to permanent arrangements in the summer are preferred above spending big now. That has complicated things at this stage.

Benitez re-introduced Jamie Sterry and Sammy Ameobi back into his match-day squad at the weekend, when Newcastle overcame Rotherham 4-0.

Sterry, 21, had been recalled from his loan at Coventry to provide cover for the defence and he was a second half substitute along with Ameobi, who was brought back from Bolton.

And locally-produced Sterry, who is cup-tied for this Saturday’s trip to Oxford, said: “It had been a while, but I've worked hard. Obviously, the loan's helped with my confidence and it was good to get back in the team.

“It was a good experience at Coventry. I played a lot of games. I played every game for which I was fit, which was about 20 games. That helped me a lot and gave me confidence to come back into training. I needed the games. I hadn't played many, so it was good to get out there and play games."

Sterry has not ruled out heading on loan again before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night. He said: "I'll just keep working hard and see what happens. I'd like to stay here, and hopefully get some games, but I'll wait and see. It's up to the manager.

“I've got a lot of games under my belt, and it's good for the manager to know I've got that experience in League One.”