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Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has been ruled out of Holland's Monday Euro qualifying match with Iceland after sustaining an elbow injury in training, according to The Chronicle and others. Krul has been sent back to the North East for treatment, and Rob Elliot has been told to be ready for this weekend's date with Leicester City.
The Toon have been dreadful defenders this season, but the absence of Krul compounds the problems, as does the news last week that Daryl Janmaat may also be unavailable. Elliot has filled in adequately in the past, but represents a significant step down in quality.
The only source of comfort for the Magpies may be their upcoming opponent. Leicester's 11 goals on the season is inflated by a 5 goal explosion against Manchester United, but (a) If they can score 5 goals against anybody, why can't they do the same to Newcastle?, and (b) 6 goals in their other 6 matches is still equal to NUFC's output thus far.