Krul hungry for silverware

Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul is targeting Europa League glory, with his side already having reached the next stage of the competition.

Newcastle, whose encounter with Bordeaux on Thursday will decide who tops Group D, won their last piece of major silverware when they defeated Manchester City in the 1955 FA Cup final.

Yet, despite the club’s long wait for success, the 24-year-old believes that the Europa League title could be the one to end the drought and that reaching the latter stages of the tournament with a game to spare is an achievement in itself.

“We’ve already achieved one thing, which is qualifying for the Europa League,” Krul told reporters.

“We wanted to stay in that, we’re in the last 32 and it’s a great competition to be in. We’re the first English team to do it (this season).

“Is it important to get the top spot? Yes and no. I think I’ve heard Jose Mourinho say that every time he’s won the Champions League he’s finished second in the group.

“Great teams are dropping down from the Champions League but I’ve also seen a lot of good teams in the Europa League already. I’m not really phased whether it’s top of the group or second.”