Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul knew he would be their No1 before the start of the season.

Krul played the last six games of last season and made his Holland debut in the summer. The 23-year-old, who has kept 10 clean sheets, has been at the heart of Newcastle's unexpected resurgence.

Krul told the Daily Mail: "The manager called me in the week before the season and said, 'Tim, you're starting the season and you have to prove you deserve the shirt and should be playing every week'.

"I was grateful the gaffer gave me the opportunity and I could not have wished for a better season so far but I need that mentality. It keeps me on my toes."