Newcastle: Fresh update reveals when Kieran Trippier may return

Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier is unlikely to feature again until the final stages of the Magpies’ season, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Trippier became the first signing of the Public Investment Fund era when he made the £12million switch from reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid in January, but he has been forced onto the sidelines for an extensive period.

Having suffered the embarrassment of an FA Cup defeat to League One side Cambridge United on his debut, Trippier went on to make a major impact at St James’ Park, notching two goals in five appearances to get his new employers’ survival bid well and truly underway.

In fact, the right-back has yet to suffer a Premier League defeat following his move to Tyneside, but the 31-year-old has not featured since being forced off with a foot injury picked up against Aston Villa last month.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admitted after the narrow win, which was achieved thanks to a deflected Trippier free-kick, that he ‘desperately’ did not want the January arrival to be out for an prolonged period after making a hugely positive start to his St James’ Park career.

However, the Magpies’ worst fears were realised when an X-ray revealed Trippier had sustained a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot.

Howe has since conceded he is uncertain as to whether the former Tottenham Hotspur man will return to the fray before the campaign reaches its climax after Trippier was forced to undergo surgery.

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Trippier is not Newcastle’s only long-term absentee as Callum Wilson suffered a calf injury shortly before the turn of the year, leading to Howe revealing he reckons the striker will be