Newcastle United are without Kieran Trippier - and there is fear the issue could keep him out long-term.

There are fears the hamstring injury suffered by Kieran Trippier could keep the Newcastle United full-back out long-term.

The 35-year-old was absent from the Magpies’ squad for the 2-1 win against Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday evening. Trippier’s withdrawal saw Tino Livramento, just back from injury himself, swiftly elevated off the bench and into a surprise starting berth against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Trippier was also not in the travelling party to Olympique de Marseille, where the Magpies were beaten 2-1 in the south of France, despite taking an early lead through Harvey Barnes.

And NewcastleWorld understands, fears are Trippier could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines due to the problem. It would be a huge blow for head coach Eddie Howe, who now has little to no cover for Livramento, heading into what is one of the busiest spells of the season. Newcastle take on Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, before hosting Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening and then Burnley on Saturday ahead of their sixth Champions League encounter of the campaign at Bayer Leverkusen.

Winger Jacob Murphy filled in for Livramento on the right of a five in midweek, and might well be asked to do so again, with understudy Emil Krafth also set to miss a spell through injury. That was despite the Swede travelling to Marseille, only to pull out of the party with a problem.

Eddie Howe speaks about Kieran Trippier injury

When asked about how long Trippier could be out with his hamstring issue, head coach Eddie Howe was vague. He said: “With Kieran's injury, we're not quite sure how long he will be out. That leaves us short of options in the full-back position.”

Newcastle have only just welcomed back Tino Livramento from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with the player starting both of the Magpies’ last two matches, v Man City at right back and then left wing back against Marseille in the Champions League.

Lewis Hall is still just getting back up to speed, too, having not played much football at all in the calendar year. Hall started the last

Eddie Howe has major transfer decision to make for Newcastle United

Trippier’s contract is up in the summer, and with the injury, it may alter transfer thinking heading into January.

While there may well have already been some talk about future-proofing the squad post-Trippier, that might have to be accelerated to the winter window, with it unrealistic to expect both Livramento and Hall, of which Trippier works as cover, to play every week.

The Magpies do have youngsters Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar in reserve, but neither are seemingly ready to be thrust into top flight football just yet, barring yet more injuries.

Dan Burn, although not his best position, has covered for Hall in a back four recently, but could not do that role in a five. Murphy has been used on the right in absence of experienced heads Trippier and Krafth.