Kieran Trippier insists he is 'feeling good' about his recovery from injury when asked about his potential return for Newcastle United. The Magpies full-back enjoyed a sensational start to life at St James' Park, but is currently sidelined after suffering a foot injury in the victory against Aston Villa last month.
Eddie Howe has hailed Trippier's leadership qualities in the dressing room since the 31-year-old became the first signing of the new era on Tyneside, and the defender has continued to travel with the squad for recent matchdays. The England international has undergone surgery to address the metatarsal injury, and the club are yet to give an estimated return date.
Howe has spoken of his hope of being able to call upon Trippier before the end of the season, and the right-back insists he does not want to 'rush' a potential return. However, the former Atletico Madrid and Tottenham defender is 'positive' about his recovery and is keen to return to action sooner rather than later.
Trippier told the True Geordie podcast: "I'm feeling good. Obviously [I'm] disappointed with the injury because of the start I had with Newcastle. I was going through a good moment, but these things happen.
"I'm positive about the injury, it's just about fighting now and getting fit because I want to get back on the pitch and hopefully soon.
"It was my fifth metatarsal so I had to have surgery, I had to have a bolt in it. But like I said, the surgeon is happy and my physio is happy so that makes me a little better.
When pressed about a potential timeframe for his return, Trippier replied: "It's different. Some players have been [out for] six weeks, some have been eight weeks, 10 weeks, but obviously it's about the individual. For me now, it's just about supporting the lads and getting the points on the board.
"You don't want to rush any injury back, but I've got the right people around me with the physios at the club and the manager."
Trippier had scored successive free-kicks in victories over Everton and Aston Villa before being withdrawn shortly after the restart. However, the defender believes he sustained the foot injury earlier on in the contest.
Trippier said: "I felt pain 10 minutes into the game under my foot, and I was thinking I must have been stamped on. I carried on, and the pain was getting worse.
"The free-kick comes up and I was taking that. Half-time I was still struggling, so I thought I'd give it the second-half to see how it is. But it was that painful, I had to come off.
"I went for a scan and I realised I broke my foot. I'm guessing when I first felt the pain, I must have done it earlier in the game."
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
