Alan Pardew: 'Tim Krul could return against Benfica'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has hailed Tim Krul as 'one of the best goalkeepers in the world' ahead of the club's match with Benfica in the Europa League.

Krul has been sidelined since February with an ankle injury, but Pardew has suggested that he has no problem with handing the Dutch international his return in such a high profile match.

The 51-year-old told reporters: "He has trained very well and I personally think he is one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

"This is a great opportunity for him to come back as the number one ahead of Sunday.

"I don't mind putting that pressure on him - he accepts at this level that if he wants to play in the Dutch national side, that is the pressure he is under."

The Magpies have defeated Metalist Kharkiv and Anzhi Makhachkala to reach the quarter-finals.