Eddie Howe rules key Newcastle star out of FA Cup fixture v Man City

Eddie Howe has confirmed Kieran Trippier will miss Newcastle United’s next two fixtures, meaning he’ll be unavailable for next week’s FA Cup encounter against Manchester City.

The right-back was replaced in last Saturday's 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers with a calf injury, and reports this week suggested he could be out for an extended period. But Howe revealed in Friday’s press conference that the injury isn’t that severe and said the experienced defender should be back for the end of the month.

"Kieran’s injury is not too bad, a minor injury,” the former Bournemouth boss told reporters. “The scans showed enough to probably keep him out for the next two games, and we hope he will be back for the first game after the international break, although that’s not guaranteed.”

The injury means Trippier will miss Monday night’s clash against Chelsea in the Premier League and next weekend’s FA Cup trip to Manchester. Newcastle meet City at the quarter-final stage of the competition, having eliminated the European champions from the Carabao Cup in September.

“There is every chance he travels to both games; he is very keen to stay with the group despite the injury. It highlights his leadership qualities,” Howe added on Trippier, ahead of the Chelsea and City games.

With the former Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid man missing, Tino Livaramento is expected to fill in at right-back. The injury also means Trippier will be unavailable for England’s double header against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley later this month.