Victor Valdes to Newcastle: Manchester United outcast lined up to replace injured Tim Krul at St. James' Park

Manchester United outcast Victor Valdes may be set to end his Old Trafford nightmare and sign for Newcastle United.

According to a report by the Daily Star, the goalkeeper, who has been out-of-favour with manager Louis van Gaal since the end of last season, is in line to replace the injured Tim Krul at St. James' Park.

Krul, Newcastle's first-choice 'keeper, is sidelined for the rest of the season after he ruptured an anterior cruciate knee ligament on international duty.

The Dutchman sustained his injury during the Netherlands' 2-1 victory over Kazahstan on Saturday and is not expected to regain full fitness until next August.

Despite having Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow in reserve, Newcastle manager Steve McClaren is keen to bring in a direct replacement and wants to offer Valdes a escape route out of Old Trafford.

The former Barcelona 'keeper has been 'exiled' at his current club, with reports of him being denied a club locker and forced to train with the youth team.

Last July, while on the club's pre-season tour of the United States, Van Gaal claimed that Valdes' exile was due to him refusing to play for the reserve team and thus failing to follow the club's 'philosophy'.

"When you are not willing to follow the principles of the philosophy, then there is only one way and that is out," Van Gaal said.

"It is a big disappointment. We thought that he would follow our philosophy.

"It is a pity because we have given him the opportunity to rehabilitate, gave him a contract and then he is fit to play."

Valdes had been linked with a move to Liverpool and Chelsea but his current club are reluctant to sell to a direct rival.

Any permanent deal taking Valdes to St. James' Park could only be completed when the transfer window re-opens in January, as the player is under contract at Old Trafford until the end of the season.

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