Newcastle's Tim Krul, once seen as one of the rising stars of the goalkeeping world, could be the subject of a deadline day move to Watford.

Reports suggest the Dutchman, who has been shipped out to Ajax this season without featuring in a single game in Amsterdam, could be on his way to Vicarage Road on loan for the rest of the campaign.

Head coach Walter Mazzarri is searching for another goalkeeper following Costel Pantilimon's injury in yesterday's FA Cup defeat to Millwall, and has long been of the opinion the Golden Boys need better options between the sticks.

It had been expected his search would hold until the summer to find a new stopper to challenge both ageing Heurelho Gomes and unfavoured Pantilimon.

But with Mazzarri's hand forced by the injury to the latter, the talented Krul could use a spell in Hertfordshire to get his career back on track - and may also prove a longer-term replacement.

Crucially, Krul counts as a home-grown player as he has been at St James' Park since the age of 17 - freeing up another of the Hornets' slots in their largely foreign-born Premier League squad.