Lee Clark backs Kieran Trippier to play a ‘vital’ role in the Newcastle United dressing room while the defender recovers from a significant foot injury, via his column for Chronicle Live.
Toon boss Eddie Howe will be without Trippier for the foreseeable after the £12m January transfer underwent surgery last month. The full-back broke a bone in his foot early in the second-half of the Magpies’ win over Aston Villa while making his fifth appearance so far.
Trippier had fast established a vital role on the pitch since joining Newcastle from Atletico Madrid in the winter sales. He had started all of his outings for the St James’ Park outfit and scored against Everton and Villa. He also captained the Toon against the Birmingham side.
Howe has maintained Newcastle’s unbeaten run without Trippier with a draw at West Ham before beating Brentford. The Magpies have now not lost in seven since defeat at home to Manchester City on December 19 to pull five-points clear of the drop zone in 14th-place.
Lee Clark tips Kieran Trippier for ‘vital’ dressing room role while injured
Howe has coped without Trippier through injury by recalling Emil Krafth to the Newcastle starting line-up in his place. But Clark does not underestimate the role Trippier will have in the Magpies’ dressing room during his rehabilitation and their ongoing relegation fight.
“He may have been on crutches and unable to take part on the field, but Kieran Trippier is still playing a vital part for the Magpies during his rehab,” the Newcastle hero wrote.
“I have to be honest, we were probably all a bit worried when Trippier was ruled out for a number of weeks with a foot injury. But he has made sure he still has a presence around the place. I saw from the pictures that he was on the bus and in the dressing room.
“Don’t underestimate what he will be doing off the field in terms of leadership and keeping the lads together.”
Trippier shared recently that his recovery is going ‘really well’, but the 31-year-old faces a long spell out. Initial expectations suggested a six-week absence, per iNews, which puts his return at the end of March. Newcastle could play five further fixtures before he can play.
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