'Very, very careful': Eddie Howe will leave it late to make a call on Kieran Trippier ahead of Everton clash
Newcastle United's injury crisis is ramping up again just after it seemed like we were getting over the worst of it.
Three more players added themselves to the injury list during Saturday's game against West Ham with Jamaal Lascelles confirmed as being out for six to nine months. Meanwhile news is awaited on Miguel Almiron but that one didn't look good either.
Tino Livramento rolled his ankle and it's highly unlikely he will be involved on Tuesday night, which means fans will be hoping that Kieran Trippier, who was expected to be back in contention on Saturday, will now be available to slot back in at right-back against Everton.
Newcastle still have Emil Krafth available should Trippier not make it and Eddie Howe isn't confident that the England international will be fit.
Trippier is 'desperate' to get back into action
Trippier has been out of action since coming off the field in the game against Wolves last month, but it was thought that he'd be back in action after the international break, but he failed to make the squad for the game against West Ham.
However, Eddie Howe told The Chronicle that although Trippier is was desperate to return against West Ham, he may still not make it in time to face Everton.
“Kieran is improving. It was a difficult injury for him, one on the calf and one that we have to be very, very careful with. We hoped he would be fit in and around this game [West Ham]. But we will have to wait and see how he goes this week.
“I think he is desperate to be involved, he knows what is at stake for us between now and the end of the season. His qualities are obvious. So we are desperate for him back but it has to be at the right time.”
We really hope that the sensible call is made tomorrow
With everything that has happened this season with injuries, we'd definitely much prefer Eddie Howe to take a cautious approach with Trippier.
The last thing we need right now is another player rushed back too soon and aggravating a known injury and making it 10 times worse.
If Trippier has to sit this one out tomorrow so that he can play all of the remaining eight games, then so be it.
