TIM KRUL received a birthday boost last night when he was told he will return to the Newcastle United starting line-up in Lisbon, but the Dutchman paid tribute to the man he will replace.

During the Holland international’s seven-match absence, Rob Elliot has matured, proving that there will be life after Steve Harper’s departure in the summer.

His performances as Krul’s understudy has heartened manager Alan Pardew and supporters, who feared Newcastle would not be able to cope without him during his ankle lay-off.

But after encouraging displays, including keeping two clean sheets in the last-16 double header with Anzhi Makhachkala, Elliot’s competence has been noted by the man holding the No 1 shirt.

“Rob has done great,” said Krul, set to face Benfica in the first leg of tonight’s Europa League quarter-final.

“Competition is great for this club, it pushes me to be my best. I like to have somebody training with me who is of his quality. It’s good for me and good for the club that we can rely on a couple of goalkeepers.”

Krul has been out of action since injuring his ankle against Metalist Kharkiv on February 21 but his mere presence on the flight to Lisbon suggested he would be recalled to face Benfica.

And, on the player’s 25th birthday, Pardew confirmed: “It would be terrible of me to say on Tim’s birthday that he is definitely not playing and he is sitting up here. I think it’s a good indication that Tim will play.

“He’s trained very, very well. I think he’s one of the top goalkeepers in the world so it is a great opportunity to come back as the No1 for Sunday against Fulham.

“I don’t mind putting that pressure on him.

“He accepts at this level, if he wants to play in the Dutch national side that’s the pressure he’s under. And I have no doubt he will respond to that.”

Krul and the rest of the Newcastle squad trained on the Estadio de Luz pitch for the first time last night after a team meeting at the hotel involved footage of Benfica’s biggest threats.

Pardew has identified striker Oscar Cardozo, regularly targeted by Steve Bruce during his time in charge at Sunderland, as a main worry, along with Benfica’s ability from the flanks.

There is a lot of emphasis placed on wingers Krul’s compatriot Ola John, Nicola Gaitan and Eduardo Salvio – two of that three will play – as well as forward-thinking full-backs Maxi Pereira and Melgarejo.

Krul said: “Benfica have got great players, we’ve had a video analysis session so we have seen the quality of the players and I’m really impressed with their quality.

Their attacking qualities are really good.

“We need to be a solid team and hopefully we can keep a clean sheet, that would be fantastic.

I know the left winger, Ola John, from the national team.

“He’s a great player and I think from what I saw this afternoon they’ve got a few more good players.”

John, who could start because of a doubt over a knee injury for Salvio, said: “Tim is a good goalkeeper, I know him from the international team.

“He is just back from injury and I hope to score a goal against him.

“That would be nice. We will just wait and see.”