Newcastle boss Howe hints at return date for injured duo Wilson, Trippier

NEW CASTLE: Eddie Howe has revealed when he thinks injured duo Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier will finally return to the Newcastle United first team.

The pair have been out since Dec. 27 and Feb. 13, respectively, with calf and foot injuries.

And while hopes had been high one or both would be back in contention this week, with United taking on Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Norwich City on Saturday, Howe has hinted that the Liverpool game on Saturday, April 30 could well be a more likely return date for the duo.

“I don’t think either will be involved next week, against Crystal Palace or Norwich,” Howe said, following the club’s last-gasp, Bruno Guimaraes-inspired victory over Leicester City.

“Maybe, maybe after that who knows? I am not putting a game on it — as there are still a lot of unknowns. Neither player has really done too much on the grass just yet, but they are working toward that.

“Luckily the team is in good form, so we are in a position where we don’t have to rush them back, but we still have enough games to see them before the end of the season,” he added.

Fans have been getting excited by pictures of both Wilson and Trippier out on the pitches of the club’s Benton training base in recent weeks — and Howe has revealed that the players will both step up their recovery this week, with England defender Trippier a little ahead of Wilson.

Howe said: “They will definitely be stepping it up. I don’t think they will be with us, training with the group.

“There will definitely be a handover period for Kieran where he will go with our sports science guys in the near future but that hasn’t happened yet. Both players are still with physiotherapists.”

One player Howe is hoping to have back available for