Newcastle United handed major boost as key man set to feature v Chelsea after missing last match

Kieran Trippier has returned to Newcastle United training ahead of Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash against Chelsea at St James' Park (kick-off 3pm).

The full-back was called up to the England squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Trippier played a full 90 minutes as the Three Lions beat Malta 3-0 at Wembley on Friday but left the camp 48 hours later because of a "personal matter".

As a result, he missed last night's 1-1 draw in North Macedonia. He is, however, expected to feature versus Chelsea this weekend. As per Sky Sports News' Keith Downie, Trippier resumed training at United's Darsley Park on Tuesday morning.

The 33-year-old has started every Premier League match for Newcastle this campaign and racked up six assists from right-back. Indeed, only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (11) has created more 'Big Chances' than Trippier (8) in 2023-24.

Trippier is also one of few players to remain injury-free this term with a number of his teammates succumbing to the relentless fixture schedule, which has seen United play three times a week since September.

Newcastle's absentee list currently stands at 13, although that is likely to reduce with Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron in line to return versus Chelsea.

However, Sandro Tonali (banned), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Dan Burn (back), Elliot Anderson (back), Sven Botman (knee), Harvey Barnes (toe), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Javier Manquillo (groin), Matt Targett (hamstring) and Lewis Hall (ineligible) are ruled out. Sean Longstaff, meanwhile, is a doubt with an ankle issue.