Tim Targets Run Of Form

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Tim Krul hopes his return to fitness can coincide with an unbeaten run to lift Newcastle further up the Barclays Premier League table.

The stopper missed seven games in all competitions earlier this season having suffered an elbow injury while away on international duty with Holland in September.

But Krul returned for the Tyne-Wear derby draw at Sunderland and then was outstanding last weekend as United recorded a late victory over West Bromwich Albion - his two one-on-one stops from Romelu Lukaku proving just as important as goals from Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse at the other end.

And with the Magpies currently lying tenth in the top flight table, the 24-year-old is keen to continue playing a vital role over the next few weeks.

"I've been injured for a few weeks, so it's nice to be back, to be important and to be winning again," said Krul, ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool (4pm kick-off).

"I'm horrific at watching games, if I'm honest. I was out for a few weeks, but it's nice to be back and I think the next few games are good for us.

"We feel like we can get a few points and I want to be a part of that. There's no reason why we can't put a few results together and go on a good run."

Krul's injury couldn't have come at a worse time, having just been named the new Dutch number one.

But the big stopper is confident that good form at club level should reap its rewards once again on the international scene.

"I got the (Holland number one) shirt, played on the Friday night and then on the Sunday afternoon was injured in training," he explained.

"There's never a good time to be injured, but this wasn't a great time at all.

"For me now it is important to be back playing here and show why the manager chose me in the first place. Hopefully I can show them again."