Kieran Trippier will play again for Newcastle this season after a successful operation on his broken foot.
The England defender has been backed to maintain his “inflectious, positive” influence on Eddie Howe’s squad while doing his rehab.
Trippier has scored in consecutive games on United’s three match winning streak, but broke his fifth metatarsal against Aston Villa.
Howe will start Emile Krafth, with Javier Manquillo’s ankle injury keeping him out of the trip to West Ham but not a long term issue.
Howe said: “His operation went well. I don’t know how long he will be out but we hope to have him back before the end of the season. It is a significant injury.
“We will see how his early rehab goes, the op was a success. It’s a chance for someone else to step up. He had scored two goals and defining moments for us, but we are confident we have the quality to replace him.
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“He is an inspirational figure. From knowing the young Kieran he has changed. Not just his game but his personality. I can’t compliment him enough.
“The players have found him an inspirational figure. That won’t change. He will be supporting them from the training ground and be in and around them.
“He is a positive person. He knew there was a problem. His reaction wasn’t head down and isolation. He was busy around the players giving off good energy. He is infectious hence the positive reaction.”
Howe says Krafth will be a good replacement adding: “I like him as a person and player. Against Manchester United he was outstanding offensively and defensively. He is a very good athlete and this is a good chance for him to have a run in the team.”
Howe says the modern full-back is so influential these days in setting a positive tone with the first forward pass.
He explained: “Creatively in build up play they have to find the first pass to set an attack. They are under pressure at the touchline and have to find a way out.
“It is easy to play a negative way out but Kieran plays a positive way.
"When you add in the defensive responsibilities they have a job to get up and down and it is an all encompassing job for the team.”
