Newcastle United favourite breaks silence after being ruled out for eight matches - including Sunderland
Newcastle United will remain without Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth over the next few games - leaving Eddie Howe with limited full-back options.
Newcastle United will have to manage their full-back situation carefully over the next few games with Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth still sidelined.
The Magpies have welcomed Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall back from injury absences in recent weeks only to be without Krafth and Trippier, leaving head coach Eddie Howe with a lack of options.
Hall suffering with illness saw him drop out of the starting line-up to face Burnley on Saturday as Dan Burn filled in at left-back once again. Burn was eventually replaced by Hall in the second half of the 2-1 win at St James’ Park.
Meanwhile, Livramento is having to play every match despite only recently returning from a two-month injury absence.
Newcastle United duo ruled out
Next up for Newcastle is a trip to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night before a trip to Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday. The Magpies then host Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at St James’ Park the following Wednesday after the derby.
Both Trippier and Krafth are expected to remain sidelined for those three matches, taking their absence to eight matches in total.
Assessing his right-back situation, Howe said: “Tino's okay, I think. He's done really well. It’s tough for him because he's straight back in and playing a lot of minutes, but we don't have any other options in that position currently with Emil out and Kieran out and they won't be back any time soon, in a sense the next few games anyway.
“We hope to get him back towards the Christmas period. It would be nice if we could because it would alleviate some of the burden on Tino, but he's shouldering it really well, as is Lewis, and hopefully that can stay the case.
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Newcastle United careful with Lewis Hall
On Hall’s return to action, Howe said: “I think he's done really well. I think the only problem for Lew is late in games when he's started to fatigue.
“I'd say in the first-half of the Everton game, the Tottenham game, Manchester City the same he's been outstanding. I think he's really shown his qualities and brings a different dynamic from that position to other players we have, a real technical high-level player.
“Also athletically, he gets forward and combines really well with the players ahead of him. I think he can be really pleased, but we just have to navigate this period well because we want him to remain on the pitch and to do that we're going to have to be careful with him because we've got so many games and he's so important.”
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Kieran Trippier on Newcastle United injury
Although Trippier is currently sidelined, he addressed his injury situation in his Newcastle United matchday programme column.
The 35-year-old said: “My recovery from injury is going well. It was an unfortunate one, I was in training taking a set piece and there's nothing you can do it's out of my control.
“All I can do is focus on getting fit as quick as possible, but respectfully in the right way. These things happen and I've been in this position before I'm old enough to understand and be professional in the way I handle my rehab and I'll be back soon.