Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has revealed how Stoke City attacker Ibrahim Afellay helped him through his knee rehabilitation. Krul is currently on loan with AZ from Newcastle United as he looks to kick start his career, following the injury the serious injury he sustained last season.
Soccer News have reported on comments Krul has made with regards to the Stoke City star helping him come to terms with his knee injury. The Dutchman said he contacted Afellay and also AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman because they too have suffered similar injuries.
Krul told the pair he was feeling pain during his rehabilitation at Newcastle United, but his international teammates reassured him this was normal. Both the Roma and Stoke City players told Krul they too had experienced this, and it was part of the process.
“They told me some pain was normal. At Newcastle United we had an exercise with the full weight on the knee. Now I can talk about it again, but I continued doing this because Strootman and Afellay told me it was like that for them,” said the Newcastle United owned keeper.
Krul joined Ajax on loan in the last summer transfer window in order to get more playing time during his recovery. However, the Newcastle United loanee failed to make an appearance for the Dutch side, and therefore moved on to AZ in the last window.
It’s unsure whether the Netherlands international has a future at Newcastle United, and whether he’s in the long-term plans of Rafael Benitez. The Spaniard has Karl Darlow and Matz Sels at his disposal, so it will be difficult for Krul when he returns in the summer.
