And the goalkeeper – a target of Chelsea and Feyenoord – insists all he is focused on is impressing manager Kevin Keegan in pre-season.

Krul – who famously kept a clean sheet on his debut away to Palermo the season before last – had his year-long loan at Falkirk last season cut short by a dislocated shoulder.

However, the 20-year-old – who has three more years on his United contract – is now fully recovered, and hoping to feature in one or more of Newcastle's warm-up games.

"I've been training for two weeks, and it's been a good pre-season," Krul told the Gazette.

"It's good to be back at the club, of course, and hopefully I'll get a couple of minutes in the next couple of weeks.

"I hope I get a chance – that's what you're fighting for in pre-season. I want to prove myself to the new manager, so he can see what I can do.

"We got to Spain on the pre-season tour, so we take it from there."

Krul – at the International Stadium last night to see Newcastle's reserves draw 1-1 with Gateshead – was quoted in his native Holland last week on a proposed move to Eredivisie side Heerenveen.

Reports suggested a move to the Abe Lenstra Stadium was imminent, but the Den Haag-born player – keen to set the record straight – has denied making the comments.

He added: "There's been a lot of speculation, and I saw in a couple of papers it's already done, but it's just talk.

"There's always interest, but I need to get myself fit, prove myself and see what's happening.

"I can always happen. You never know what your future is. It can happen in one day, and it can happen in two or three years.

"But I love this club, and I've been here for three years. I love England, and especially Newcastle.

"Maybe in a couple of weeks, I can say more."

Krul made 26 appearances for Falkirk before being hit by injury in a cup tie, and while he missed a large chunk of the season, he believes regular first-team football has imrpoved him as a player.

"It makes you a better player," said Krul. "It doesn't matter where, you have to play games.

"First-team football, and especially the Scottish Premier League, is good. It was a really good standard for me on my first loan deal."

Krul – behind Shay Given and Steve Harper in the queue for first-team football at St James's Park – could be loaned out again this season.