Newcastle expect Tim Krul to play Saturday

Newcastle United dodged a bullet as goalkeeper Tim Krul is expected to feature in the team's Premier League clash with Leicester City on Saturday.

Krul returned to training Thursday after suffering an elbow injury during a training session with the Netherlands over the international break.

A scan on his elbow Wednesday revealed ligament damage, but the club described the injury as minor and expressed their confidence in his availability for the team's next league game.

"Tim Krul has been further assessed today by the club's medical staff and the club can confirm that he has nothing more than a very minor elbow injury," the team announced on its website.

"The club will continue to monitor the situation but are confident that he will be available for the game against Leicester City on Saturday."

Losing Krul could have devastated manager Alan Pardew's squad, as they sit in the basement of the Premier League standings in a three-way tie for last place, with four points through seven games.

Pardew expressed his relief to have the Dutch 'keeper back at training.

"Tim looks fine - he trained today (Thursday), so that little scare is over I think for us," Pardew said.

"It could have been a recurrence of the injury he had before and that's what we were worried for, but he's trained today and is fine."