'Big' - Newcastle star now set for early return to Darsley Park; Howe delighted

Kieran Trippier will return to the Newcastle training ground earlier than expected after his foot surgery, with a delighted Eddie Howe confirming he will have a role to play even while recovering.

The England international has undoubtedly been the star of the show since signing for the Magpies in January, scoring twice in four top-flight appearances.

According to Whoscored, Trippier is the highest-rated player in the squad in Premier League matches this season, hardly a surprise given he is also winning over two aerial duels per game, making 3.5 tackles per game and creating 1.5 chances per match.

Of course, the news he will miss most of the rest of the season after fracturing the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot is devastating, but Howe seemed in good spirits when delivering the latest on Friday.

Speaking in his pre-West Ham press conference, the boss claimed the surgery ‘went well’ and called it ‘good news’ (via Ben Dinnery) before revealing the 31 year-old will actually be back at Darsley Park very soon.

Ciaran Kelly of The Chronicle shared Howe’s comments that Trippier will have a role at the training ground, with the manager saying: “We’ve had a conversation about that.

“That’s the first thing we discussed. That’s the type of person he is. He wants to make a difference, he wants to help & he wants to lead so he’ll have a big impact.”

Howe is clearly happy with Trippier’s mentality to get back involved with the team as soon as possible, and it’s that sort of competitive spirit that has endeared the former Atletico Madrid star to the Toon Army so quickly.

Indeed, with Jamaal Lascelles still a doubt, the Magpies are lacking for leaders at the back, and Trippier has proven to be exactly that even in his short time