Newcastle United are facing a significant challenge in defence as Kieran Trippier has been ruled out for a prolonged period with a hamstring injury, threatening to disrupt the Magpies’ preparations for a busy festive fixture schedule.
The right-back has already missed Newcastle’s last three matches after sustaining the injury during the November international break, and head coach Eddie Howe has confirmed that Trippier could be sidelined for roughly a month.
This timeframe means the 32-year-old may not return until after Christmas, leaving the club with a difficult selection problem at full-back as they enter a period crowded with important games.
Trippier has been a key figure for Newcastle this season, offering both defensive solidity and attacking support down the right flank. His absence comes at an inconvenient time, as the Magpies have a series of high-profile matches on the horizon.
They host two of Trippier’s former clubs, Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley, at St James’ Park, followed by an away trip to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Soon after, Newcastle face a Premier League return leg against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham, and then a league clash with Chelsea.
Each of these matches carries importance for Newcastle’s aspirations both domestically and in Europe, making Trippier’s absence particularly impactful.
Speaking on Trippier’s injury, Howe provided a clear update to the media. “Yeah, he had a scan on his hamstring. We think it’s roughly around a month, give or take.
That’s the diagnosis. Fingers crossed we can get him back quickly,” Howe explained. If the estimate holds, Trippier could potentially make his return around Boxing Day for the trip to Manchester United at Old Trafford, the club he supported growing up in Bury.
Newcastle will also hope he can feature in their final match of 2025 at Burnley on December 30. In the meantime, Howe must navigate his squad carefully to cope with the defensive shortfall caused by the injury.
Trippier’s absence, coupled with a knee injury to Emil Krafth, leaves Newcastle with just two recognised senior full-backs available. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are considered the club’s primary options, but both players have recently returned from extended injury layoffs and require careful management.
Livramento, who has been dealing with his own fitness concerns, was withdrawn during Newcastle’s 2-1 Champions League defeat at Marseille. With no experienced right-back available, 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley was deployed in the position, a temporary solution that highlights the squad’s vulnerability in that area.
Howe acknowledged the challenges of using Miley at right-back, noting that while he has monitored the midfielder’s adaptability, it is not an area in which he has extensive training experience.
“I have always had my eye on Lewy potentially being able to play that role,” Howe said. “It is difficult because we haven’t seen him play it a lot and it is not something we have necessarily looked to do a lot in training because we don’t want to take from his development as a midfielder.”
Nevertheless, Howe may be forced to experiment with his squad as Newcastle navigate a congested calendar, balancing short-term defensive needs with the long-term development of promising young players.
Lewis Hall, meanwhile, remains a vital component of Newcastle’s defensive setup but has faced his own fitness challenges. The 21-year-old has been recovering from a foot injury followed by a hamstring issue, limiting his availability earlier in the season.
Howe stressed the importance of gradual reintegration for Hall, emphasizing that managing his workload is essential to prevent further setbacks. “He will just improve as the days go by and he gets a little bit stronger each day,” Howe said.
“He is a valuable player and we have to try and keep him fit.” With Hall and Livramento both still regaining full fitness, the Magpies’ defensive options are stretched thin heading into a critical run of matches.
Newcastle’s right-back crisis is compounded by the lack of depth behind the senior players. With Krafth and Trippier unavailable, Howe’s reliance on youth and versatile midfielders to cover defensive duties increases the risk of errors and fatigue over a hectic schedule.
The team will need to maintain defensive organisation and resilience while managing minutes for key players to avoid compounding the injury situation. Trippier’s eventual return will provide a crucial boost, but the interim period is likely to test both Howe’s tactical flexibility and the squad’s adaptability.
| Player | Position | Status | Last Appearance | Injury Type | Potential Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kieran Trippier | Right-back | Injured | November international | Hamstring | Late December / Early January |
| Emil Krafth | Right-back | Injured | N/A | Knee | Unknown |
| Tino Livramento | Left-back | Available (managed) | vs Marseille | Recently returned from injury | Managed workload |
| Lewis Hall | Left-back | Available (managed) | vs Marseille | Foot & hamstring | Gradual reintegration |
| Lewis Miley | Midfielder | Youth emergency | vs Marseille | None | May cover right-back temporarily |
In conclusion, Newcastle United are navigating a challenging defensive period with Kieran Trippier ruled out for approximately nine games due to a hamstring injury.
The Magpies face a congested fixture list that includes Premier League clashes, a Champions League tie, and a Carabao Cup quarter-final. With Emil Krafth also sidelined, Eddie Howe must manage his limited options carefully, relying on Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, and adaptable youth players such as Lewis Miley.
Trippier’s eventual return will provide a major boost, but until then, Newcastle will need tactical ingenuity and squad management to maintain defensive stability across a demanding schedule.
