Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier admits to have been through a tough period having missed almost three months of action with a fractured metatarsal.
The 31-year-old returned to England earlier this year and joined Newcastle for £12million in January and had showed to be a brilliant signing by Eddie Howe. Trippier made his debut for Newcastle in a FA Cup defeat to Cambridge United before starting in each of their next four league games, scoring in the last two of them.
Trippier, five days after his first goal during a win over Everton, was given the captaincy for a meeting with Aston Villa at St James’ Park. The former Tottenham Hotspur man opened the scoring with his second free-kick goal in as many games during the 1-0 win, but was forced off early in the second half after suffering a foot injury that later proved to be a break.
During Trippier’s league outings, Newcastle gained ten points from a possible 12, but the right-back has been absent for the Magpies in each of their last 12 league matches. However, after being pictured back in training, Trippier is closing in on a return and is expected to be in action for Newcastle before their season finale on May 22 away at his former club Burnley.
Speaking about his lay-off, Trippier admitted his frustrations at an absence that has currently lasted 12 matches, although he is targeting some involvement in their last three games of the season. Trippier posted on Instagram : “It’s been a tough period being out injured, buzzing to be back on the pitch with the lads. Ready now to finish the season strong.”
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There is hope that Trippier could make a return to action as soon as Sunday afternoon, where Newcastle face a trip to leaguer leaders Manchester City just eight days after losing 1-0 to their title-chasing rivals Liverpool at St James’ Park.
Trippier and striker Callum Wilson both have a chance of returning from long injury lay-offs, with Newcastle boss Howe admitting that Trippier has not returned to full training yet, unlike Wilson, suggesting he is further away from returning than Wilson is.
"Kieran is slightly behind Callum in that he hasn't trained every day but when he has trained, he's done very well,” said How. "We'll make a late decision on him."
In 2022, Newcastle have picked up 32 points from their 16 Premier League games, with only title chasers Liverpool (41) and league leaders Man City (33) earning more points since the turn of the year.
A big part of that has been down to the success Howe has got out of the team, with the Bournemouth boss replacing Steve Bruce shortly after the club were purchase by Saudi-led investment group PIF.
As well as Trippier, Newcastle signed Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett in the January window.
