Ben Dinnery

Tue 22 February 2022 20:30, UK

Kieran Trippier may now be targeting a pre-season return and will only play again this season if Newcastle United are in desperate need.

That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.

Trippier, a marquee signing from Atletico Madrid in January, is currently sidelined with a metatarsal injury.

Eddie Howe told club media last Friday (18 February) that “we aim to have him back before the end of the season”.

But Dinnery claims that the 30-year-old right-back may not be seen again this season unless Newcastle have absolutely no alternative.

“We need to understand that this is a serious setback,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.

“Yes, he went under the knife early and the surgery went well. That’s all true.

“But it doesn’t matter about the advances in technology, we’re still looking at an eight to 10-week period before the bone begins to heal.

“There will be a fixation in that bone to help the injury along and join the bone up. But things can be effected on the way.

“The fixation is on the outside of the foot. With the boots in football, that can cause discomfort and irritation and a need for it to be removed.

“These are factors that can come at a later date. Typically, the data indicates that the return date is between 80 and 85 days.

“There are very few instances in which players return in a 70-day period. That shows that we’re looking at the higher end of the return-to-play timeline.

“By then, we’ll be approaching May. If they are still scrapping for survival, they may throw him back in.

“But if things go really well and Newcastle are safe, they will target him getting ready for pre-season.”

Howe’s side are four points clear of the relegation zone after six matches without defeat in the league.

They are next in action against Brentford on Saturday (26 February).

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