Newcastle United have been dealt a blow over Kieran Trippier’s injury – and fans are trying to show some faith in replacement Emil Krafth.
The Magpies beat Aston Villa 1-0 on Sunday afternoon as Trippier struck the only goal of the game with a deflected free kick.
The three points were great, but it wasn’t all good news for Newcastle as Trippier went off injured.
The January signing was already a doubt for the game and was then stamped on during the Villa game.
Trippier has now suffered a fractured metatarsal and will miss a number of weeks in Newcastle’s battle against relegation.
This is a huge blow for Newcastle given that Trippier has already added so much quality since arriving from Atletico Madrid last month.
So where does Eddie Howe turn now?
Newcastle’s first-choice right back before Trippier’s arrival was Javi Manquillo.
The Spaniard was pressed into starting at left back against Aston Villa with Matt Targett ineligible, but he also picked up an injury.
That means Manquillo may not be available to replace Trippier, with Swedish international Emil Krafth now the next man up.
Krafth came on for Trippier against Villa and was mostly solid, though did have some issues with Lucas Digne’s overlapping.
Newcastle fans have been taking to Twitter to discuss Krafth and the fact that he will be needed to replace Trippier.
Some think that Krafth now has a great chance to show how much he has improved under Eddie Howe.
Others believe Krafth can fill in perfectly having turned in a great performance against Manchester United in December.
There seems to be hope and belief behind Krafth, and he will be needed now to help Newcastle stay up.
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