Newcastle United are reeling from the news that Kieran Trippier will be out for the foreseeable future with a foot injury, as the 31-year-old has a great start to life at St James’ Park. Trippier had scored two goals in four Premier League appearances and greatly impressed at right-back, so it’s a blow that Emil Krafth or Javier Manquillo has to replace him.
Kevin Campbell concedes that the Magpies ‘desperately need’ the England international due to his ‘toughness’ and ‘experience’, calling the news a ‘body blow. He told Football Insider: “It’s going to be a massive blow. He was captain of the side as well, and managed to get a couple of big goals after coming in.”
Trippier scored in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Everton and in their 1-0 win over Aston Villa, but he was substituted early into the second half against the Villans and isn’t likely to return for some time.
Campbell added: “He brings so much experience to that side having obviously had the toughness of playing abroad and winning a title in a Diego Simeone team. He’s come to Newcastle and he’s up for the fight, but they’ve lost him – probably long-term.
“They desperately need someone like him in the trenches. But I think they’ve got enough, partly thanks to his goals, to stay up – they are looking like a tough outfit to beat. It’s a serious body blow but they will get through.”
Newcastle are a much more formidable outfit of late, boasting a five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League that has seen them win their last three games with only one goal conceded. The Magpies are four points clear of the relegation zone with 15 games remaining and are now looking to climb the table.
