Newcastle United were initially expecting to be without Kieran Trippier for three weeks.
Eddie Howe says Kieran Trippier has not suffered an injury setback, despite Newcastle United being without the right-back “for longer than anticipated”.
After picking up a calf issue during the 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 2, Trippier was expected to be out for three weeks and return for the visit of West Ham United last weekend.
However, Trippier wasn’t named in the squad and also missed the midweek draw at home to Everton. Howe confirmed afterwards that Trippier wouldn’t be available for Saturday’s trip to Fulham
The 33-year-old’s injury has turned into a minimum of a six-week absence but Howe said: “No, he hasn’t had a setback.
“With Kieran, he had a calf problem that initially, look, I always try and give you honest feedback on scan results and timeframes, but those timeframes, especially early in the injury, are just that. They’re an estimate of what the injury will.
“Now some injuries, I’m sure people will be frustrated that the manager said it’d be four weeks, but it’s ended up being six, seven or eight, but that’s just the nature of medicine and science.
“Kieran will be a little bit longer than we anticipated he would be, purely from the fact he’s had no setback but the injury is just taking long than we first thought. He’s had rescans and he’s been to see different people and we feel this is the best thing for him.”
Newcastle are also without Tino Livramento – signed in the summer to challenge Trippier at right-back – after he twisted his ankle during the 4-3 comeback win over West Ham. Howe said: “Tino’s was quite obvious really when you look back at the footage, which was quite strange really when you see the ball hit his ankle before he’s gone to plant it on the floor and it’s twisted it to quite an uncomfortable angle.
“You can see from that it looked quite painful. Thankfully it is not as serious as it could have been and we anticipate he’ll be back quite quickly.”
With the Magpies once again down to the bare bones, Emil Krafth will get a run of games at the right-back.
The Swede, who had an automatic one-year contract extension triggered by Newcastle in February, started his first Premier League game in almost two years against Everton after over 12 months out with an ACL injury.
“I think it takes any player time to find their full rhythm, especially after a long injury like Emil’s had,” said Howe. “I think he’s come back really good actually, I’ve been really impressed with the physicality side of his game.
“He was always an athletic, box-to-box full-back, very attack minded but also solid defensively. He’s done well in the few sub appearances but now is his chance to maybe get a run of games and get back to his best level.”
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