Steve McClaren believes the injury suffered by goalkeeper Tim Krul will cost Newcastle United dearly this season.

The 27-year-old is set to miss the remainder of the campaign after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty with Holland on the weekend and McClaren was left to rue the lengthy absence as he prepares his Magpies for Sunday's clash with Norwich City.

"It's a massive blow for us, you're talking about one of the best players in our team," said McClaren of Krul.

"He's a vital player, very important, and he'd get us 18 or 20 points a season with the way he plays.

"To lose that is devastating. We've had a couple of days to get over it, but for him, the shock of starting to get injured is starting to appear. In the last day or two, he's been a little bit down, but that's football and he'll recover.

"He'll get the best treatment and a good operation, and we wish him well with that. In the meantime, it's time for Rob Elliot to step forward and fill his boots. He needs to step up and perform."