Eddie Howe confident Newcastle have the quality to overcome recent injuries

NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe believes his Newcastle United squad has the quality to overcome their current full-back injury crisis.

First choice right-back Kieran Trippier and deputy Javier Manquillo will both miss the trip to West Ham United tomorrow, leaving the head coach with a defensive headache.

However, Howe does not believe this will derail the Magpies’ upturn in fortunes, and instead thinks this could be just the opportunity Sweden international Emil Krafth, the next in line for the role, has been waiting for.

“From working with Emil, I really like him as a person and as a player. You go back to the Manchester United game, he was outstanding for us that day, both defensively and offensively.

“He is a really, really good athlete and a really good defender,” Howe said. “I am delighted with Emil, delighted to have him in the squad and this is the perfect opportunity for him to have a consistent run in the team.”

Trippier went under the knife earlier this week to fix a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot, an injury suffered midway through the 1-0 home win over Aston Villa at St James’ Park on Sunday.

The injury, which could take up to 10 weeks to heal, is likely to keep Trippier out for much longer than the initial six week prognosis.

Howe does hold out hope the player, the club’s stellar January transfer signing, will play again this season.

“He’s had his operation and that went well, so, that was good news,” he said. “I don’t know at this moment in time how long he is going to be out.

“We hope to have him back before the end of the season but it is a significant injury, which is a big blow to us because he is in good form.”

When asked to place a timeframe on the 31-year-old’s return, Howe reiterated: “No