Injury concern as Newcastle United’s £37m duo missing from training photos ahead of Spurs clash

Eagle-eyed Newcastle United supporters are fearing the worst after Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock were not pictured training ahead of this weekend’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

Willock hobbled off shortly before half-time in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Fulham. Injury problems have frustrated the former Arsenal man throughout the campaign.

He missed the opening throes of the season with a hamstring problem before returning in October - only to rupture his Achilles weeks later. That setback saw him miss three months, with the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in February his comeback fixture.

Howe revealed post-match at Craven Cottage that Willock - who has completed a full 90 minutes just once in the Premier League this season - may have tweaked that injury again. He told reporters: "Joe is still feeling his Achilles. He has been feeling this problem for some time now. We hoped that he would steadily improve.

“Today was a down day for him and he did not look right and able to continue. I don't think he was in huge pain but it was enough for him to not be at his very best.

“So we made a change and I thought Elliot Anderson did well. Harvey Barnes did well and the subs who came on and did well at the end. It was a huge performance from those who were fit."

Another injury concern is Trippier, who has not been seen since before the international break. The 33-year-old picked up a calf strain against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Howe rescheduled his time on the sidelines a week ago.

“No, he hasn't had a setback,” Howe said. “With Kieran, he had a calf problem that initially, look, I always try and give you honest feedback on scan results and timeframes.

“But those timeframes, especially early in the injury, are just that. They're an estimate of what the injury will be.”