Tim Krul: Unlikely to play again this year

Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul has been ruled out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.

The Netherlands international suffered ligament damage during training ahead of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at West Ham.

Rob Elliot deputised at Upton Park and will now be called upon over a key spell that includes trips to Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as a Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland and a Capital One Cup quarter-final at Tottenham.

Manager Alan Pardew, speaking at a news conference ahead of Tuesday's Premier League visit to Burnley, confirmed Krul could be sidelined until "January - possibly mid-January".

Captain Fabricio Coloccini remains doubtful with a calf problem, while Moussa Sissoko, who was sent off on Saturday, and Jack Colback, who picked up a fifth booking of the campaign in the same game, will miss out through suspension.

Only 19 senior players will travel to Turf Moor - Daryl Janmaat, Mike Williamson and Massadio Haidara all carrying knocks - and Pardew admits his injury situation is "critical".

He said: "It's critical in terms of the spine of the team: no Tim (Krul), no Coloccini, no Moussa (Sissoko), no Jack (Colback), who would all start if they were fit.

"But we've been in this position before and we've won because the squad has good strength and I hold no fears going to Burnley.

"They've done terrifically of late and they'll be gunning for us. We respect them but we don't fear them."

Danny Ings has been in superb form for the Clarets since his return from injury and inevitably that has sparked speculation that he will be targeted in the January transfer window.

Pardew denies they are interested, and also that he has made enquiries about the striker in the past.

“In Ings Burnley have a player who is impressing at the moment," he said.

"We get linked with all sorts of players, I don't know if he's been linked with us but we certainly haven't bid or made an offer for him in a previous window.

"But he's a Burnley player and I think they would find the question (about Newcastle interest) disrespectful."