The Times claim that Newcastle United are likely to be without new signing Kieran Trippier until the beginning of May – so long as he undergoes surgery in the next 24 hours. Trippier has broken a metartarsal in his foot.
Trippier, 31, broke down during the 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday – a game in which the England defender scored the winner. It was his second goal in as many games, having also scored a free-kick against Everton.
Eddie Howe said after the match that he was crossing his fingers that Trippier would not be out for a while. However, the Mail reported on Monday that Trippier had broken his foot and would be out for a while.
Now, the Times report that it is unlikely Newcastle fans will see Trippier again until the beginning of May – meaning he will need the best part of three months to recover from the injury, if he goes under the knife soon.
Further Trippier blow: Newcastle will miss England man hugely
Three successive wins and five big signings in the January window has delivered a renewed sense of optimism on Tyneside. The Toon have climbed out of the relegation zone, and sit four points clear of Norwich.
However, losing Trippier is bad enough – but to do so until pretty much the end of the season is enormous. It will be a loss of confidence for his teammates, and it might only be that Trippier plays four more games.
Newcastle face Liverpool on April 30 and that will be his aim – though it is a race against time. They then face Manchester City, Arsenal and Burnley in May. A huge blow, given their are 13 league games still to play.
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