Newcastle United defender facing seven weeks out after spending time away from training ground
Newcastle United could be without Kieran Tripper until after the November international break.
The former England international was forced off with a hamstring injury during the goalless draw at Everton on October 5. By revealing Trippier would be sidelined for a “few weeks”, Magpies’ boss Eddie Howe ruled him out of last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, plus the Chelsea double-header and the clash against Arsenal.
Howe admits there is a chance the 34-year-old could return for the visit to Nottingham Forest, however he may not be risked until the West Ham United game, which falls after the final international break of the year.
“He’s in a good place,” said Howe. “He’s had a little bit of time away from the club due to his injury.
“He has gone to seek treatment elsewhere but we don’t envisage his injury to be a big one and we hope he will be back, if not before the international break then after the international break, ahead, I think he is in the best frame of mind that I have seen him for a few months.
“I think he’s in a really good place currently.”
Trippier was named on the bench for Newcastle’s opening four Premier League games but had started three consecutive games prior to going off injured at Goodison Park.
The former Tottenham Hotspur full-back was strongly linked with a move away in the summer but Howe was consistent in his message that he wanted to keep him.
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“Tripps has trained really well this week,” said Howe in August. “I’m surprised at a lot of the stories that have come out [saying he wants to leave].
“He’s a valuable member of the squad. His professionalism has been first class. He’s trained really well since he came back from the Euros.
“He’s only had two weeks training, hence the decision to not start him at the weekend and Tino has had a very good pre-season. That’s the situation. He continues to be really valued by all of us.
“He hasn’t had to [say] if he wants to leave or stay. He’s trained as normal and he’s been very good. I’m not really sure where this has come from.”