Newcastle right-back Trippier suffers setback in recovery from injury

Kieran Trippier has suffered a setback in his recovery from a foot injury but Newcastle boss Eddie Howe still hopes the England defender will return before the end of the season.

The right-back, 31, suffered a broken metatarsal in his left foot in February's 1-0 win over Aston Villa. 

The £12million January signing had a scan on Friday and Newcastle were hoping it would allow him to push on his recovery.

However, although the results were encouraging, the healing process was not going as quickly as hoped.

Speaking after Sunday's 5-1 defeat at Tottenham in the premier League, Howe told the Sun: 'His injury is healing. 

'It's not totally healed. That's where it is.

'We'll be able to start pushing him, not as quickly as we initially wanted to.

'But I still think he will play this season, but with no definite date. He's making good progress.'

Trippier had been outstanding in the four matches he played before the injury, scoring twice with Newcastle collecting 10 points to move away from the bottom three.