Howe teases a comeback date for Wilson and Trippier

Eddie Howe has revealed when he expects injured Newcastle United duo Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier to return to the first team.

Both have been out with calf and foot problems since December 27 and February 13, respectively.

While it had been hoped that one or both would be back in contention this week, with United facing Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Norwich City on Saturday, Howe has suggested that the Liverpool game on Saturday, April 30 may be a more likely return date.

“I don’t think either will be featured next week, against Crystal Palace or Norwich,” Howe said after the club’s last-gasp victory over Leicester City, which was inspired by Bruno Guimaraes.

“Perhaps after that, who knows? I’m not betting on it because there are still so many unknowns. Neither player has done much on the grass yet, but it is something they are working on.”

“Fortunately, the squad is in fantastic form, so we don’t have to rush them back,” he continued.

“However, we still have enough games to see them before the end of the season.”

Pictures of Wilson and Trippier out on the pitches of the club’s Benton training camp have piqued fans’ interest in recent weeks, and Howe has confirmed that the players will both speed up their rehabilitation this week, with England defender Trippier a step ahead of Wilson.

“They’ll absolutely be stepping it up,” Howe added. “I don’t think they’ll be training with the group with us.”

“Kieran will undoubtedly have a transition time with our sports science team in the near future, but this has not yet occurred. Both players are currently receiving treatment from physiotherapists.”

Javier Manquillo is one player Howe hopes to have available for selection against Patrick Vieira’s Eagles. Due to illness, the former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid full-back was unable to play against the Foxes.

“We’ll have to wait and see. Javier was suffering from a serious illness. We were obviously low on right-back options with Emil (Krafth) missing training, but Emil stepped up”, he said.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to bring Javier back soon.”

Despite Guimaraes’ match-winning performance and two-goal salvo, Krafth was undoubtedly United’s standout player at St. James’ Park on Sunday, as he handled Ademola Lookman, Harvey Barnes, and James Maddison with ease.

Howe heaped praise on the Sweden international, whose development has gone unnoticed this season.

“Very, very good,” he observed of Krafth.

“Emil was one of the players I mentioned at the press conference, and he was suffering from an illness last week, so he didn’t exercise much. He should be commended for putting himself out there. He cramped up near the end because he was undernourished nutritionally”, he added.

“What a performance from him, especially against a newcomer like Harvey Barnes. Emil as a person and a player has left a lasting impression on me, and he deserves a lot of credit,” Howe remarked.