Kieran Trippier faces spell on sidelines after breaking foot

Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his foot.

The England international was forced off in the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday having smashed home the winner from a free kick.

According to the Daily Mail, Tripper has fractured a bone in his left foot and will be out for some time. The Athletic add that the full-back will undergo surgery this week in a bid to return to full fitness as soon as possible.

Newcastle’s hope is that the worst case scenario is a month out for Trippier, 90min understands. That would mean missing the upcoming fixtures against West Ham, Brighton, Brentford and Chelsea, and targeting a return against Crystal Palace on 19 March ahead of the international break.

Trippier became the first signing of the new regime at St. James’ Park when he joined from Atletico Madrid in January, and his importance to the club has already been underlined with set-piece goals in each of their last two games. The 31-year-old followed up his wonderful whipped strike against Everton in midweek with a heavily deflected effort to down Villa on Sunday.

Newcastle are unbeaten in the Premier League since Trippier’s arrival and have moved four points clear of the relegation zone with three consecutive victories, so any lengthier absence will come as a significant blow to their survival hopes.

The injury may also affect Trippier’s chances of making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup later this year. The Three Lions begin their preparations for the winter showpiece with friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast in late March, but with the current timeframe the Newcastle man will have only just returned from his injury.