Kieran Trippier on "tough" spell on the sidelines as he closes in on Newcastle return

Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier admits to have been through a tough period having missed almost three months of action with a fractured metatarsal.

The 31-year-old returned to England earlier this year and joined Newcastle for £12million in January and had showed to be a brilliant signing by Eddie Howe. Trippier made his debut for Newcastle in a FA Cup defeat to Cambridge United before starting in each of their next four league games, scoring in the last two of them.

Trippier, five days after his first goal during a win over Everton, was given the captaincy for a meeting with Aston Villa at St James’ Park. The former Tottenham Hotspur man opened the scoring with his second free-kick goal in as many games during the 1-0 win, but was forced off early in the second half after suffering a foot injury that later proved to be a break.

During Trippier’s league outings, Newcastle gained ten points from a possible 12, but the right-back has been absent for the Magpies in each of their last 12 league matches. However, after being pictured back in training, Trippier is closing in on a return and is expected to be in action for Newcastle before their season finale on May 22 away at his former club Burnley.

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Speaking about his lay-off, Trippier admitted his frustrations at an absence that has currently