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Three players set to leave Newcastle United this summer

By James Reeve

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Tim Krul of Newcastle United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on October 3, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Tim Krul of Newcastle United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on October 3, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has begun work to trim his squad down for the new Premier League season, informing three players that their future no longer lies with the club.

With the Premier League requiring teams to register a maximum of 25 first-team players, the Championship winners from last season need to cut their squad down in order to not have players stuck on the sidelines with no hope of playing.

According to ChronicleLive, Henri Saivet, Achraf Lazaar and Tim Krul have all been told to begin training with the club’s academy team, while their representatives have been told by the Magpies that they must now seek new clubs if they wish to play first-team football this coming season.

For Newcastle United fans, Saivet and Lazaar will come as no real surprise – with both players failing to establish themselves in the team whilst playing in the Championship.

Senegal international midfielder Saivet joined Benitez’ team last season from French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, playing just four times in the league before being sent out on loan back to France with Saint-Etienne.

Lazaar, a left back capped 16 times for Morocco, also joined the Magpies last season, this time from Palermo, and equally only played in four league matches for the second tier champions.

The Moroccan international did not have the fortune of a loan spell, however, and sat on the sidelines without ever truly threatening to claim a starting place.

The biggest name that is set to depart the club, however, is Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul, who has been with Newcastle United since joining their youth setup in 2005.

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For a few seasons, Krul held down the Magpies’ starting spot between the sticks and earned international recognition for his performances in the Premier League.

But despite making 160 league appearances and having a memorable time at the 2014 World Cup, where he saved two penalties against Costa Rica in the quarter-finals, the Dutchman is no longer seen as the team’s best option.

Last season Karl Darlow stepped up into the No.1 position and Krul was sent out on loan to Ajax, hoping to earn first-team football.

However, Krul was used in just six matches for Ajax’s reserve team and Newcastle recalled him and sent him back out on loan to Dutch top tier side AZ Alkmaar.

Whilst there, Krul averaged three saves per match and picked up 18 starts in the Eredivisie, also playing in two Europa League matches, with the club finishing 6th.

With Premier League teams required to register by September 1st, many more players could exit in search of regular first team football.

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But not many will have served Newcastle United as long as Krul, who will no doubt have plenty of suitors across a number of leagues in Europe.

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