Newcastle will have to make do without Kieran Trippier for at least a few weeks, Newcastle Confidential can exclusively reveal.
The defender was substituted in the 71st minute of Saturday’s goalless draw against Everton, but there was no confirmation of injury after the match.
However, we understand that a hamstring injury will keep Trippier out of next weekend’s visit to Brighton. The problem is not thought to be too serious and the full prognosis is not yet known, but he will likely be missing for at least a few weeks.
That means a recall to the starting XI for Tino Livramento, who had lost his place to Trippier after starting the season in the team, and the England team member is a very capable deputy.
But the new injury is a blow for Eddie Howe, who had seen his experienced right-back make a positive impact since returning to the side.
Newcastle will be without Kieran Trippier for a number of weeks due to injury
The defender was replaced by Everton in the 71st minute of the tie, but there were no reports of injury after the match
Eddie Howe will be without him against Brighton but the issue is not considered serious
For me, the team is always better with Tripper in it, and he has built up form and fitness in recent weeks. The concern would be that, as we saw with his calf injury last season, a muscle problem could linger in a 34-year-old. He subsequently missed two months after an initial forecast of a few weeks.
Newcastle have five games remaining before the November international break, including crucial Premier League games with Chelsea and Arsenal and a Carabao Cup fourth round tie against the former at St James’ Park.
But here’s the good news…
In better injury news, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson are set to return against Brighton next Saturday.
Eddie Howe said last weekend there was ‘no guarantee’ the pair would be fit for the first match after the international break.
However, we understand there have been no setbacks and as it stands it is fully expected that both strikers will train ahead of the visit of the Seagulls and be part of the squad.
Wilson suffered a back injury at the start of pre-season and has not played since, while Isak broke his toe last month – as revealed by Confidential – and has missed the last three games.
The better news, however, is that Alexander Isak is on course to return from injury against Brighton
Callum Wilson, who suffered a back injury in pre-season, is also likely to feature in the match
Botman waits
One player we will have to wait for, it seems, is Sven Botman.
The Dutch defender teased some images on his social media pages last week suggesting a return could be close. He has been sidelined since March after knee surgery.
However, Botman’s planned comeback remains expected to take place sometime in December at best.
Selah the buyer?
Newcastle shirt sponsor Sela have signaled their commitment to the British market following talks to buy the world-famous Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, we can exclusively reveal.
The Saudi events company – owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund, Newcastle’s majority shareholders – has taken part in a bidding process and held talks with Royal Parks of London, which founded the event in 2007.
Sela is said to be ‘seriously interested’ in taking over the management of the festival, which attracts 2.5 million visitors annually, but has now decided to focus on other ventures.
The UK is a key market for Sela and they are looking to invest in and manage live, prestigious, high-traffic events with high-profile venues. Winter Wonderland is a good example of the type of project they want to undertake. They currently manage Boulevard World and Boulevard City in Riyadh and want to expand internationally.
This should all bode well for Newcastle, who signed a multi-year contract worth £25 million per season with Sela last year. The hope is that the club and Sela can grow together and have a mutually beneficial relationship. Increased income and profile for Sela can only be good news for Newcastle.
Watch this space for news about Sela’s UK expansion in the coming months…
Sela have signaled their commitment to the UK market following talks to purchase the world famous Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Sven Botman has meanwhile hinted at a return, but the best scenario for a return is December
Toon will benefit from city lawyers?
In terms of club sponsors, we shouldn’t expect Newcastle to announce a hugely inflated deal with a Saudi company in light of this week’s revelations about the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
My colleague Mike Keegan’s reporting revealed that during Manchester City’s legal battle against the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction rules, elements of the process were found unlawful and changes to the rules were necessary. Some feel that now is the time to strike out on new sponsorship deals.
However, Confidential understands that Newcastle are keeping an eye on things and waiting to see what the new rules and their changes look like. It is also emphasized that at no point did Newcastle and their Saudi owners want to make deals well above market value to avoid the PSR.
So while this week’s developments will no doubt be welcomed by Newcastle and make the mechanics of such deals easier in the future, there is no suggestion that large sums of money are suddenly being pumped into the club.
Bruno fell
This column noted last month how Bruno Guimaraes had become the target of criticism from fans and media in Brazil following his performances for the national team.
At the time he wasn’t playing particularly well for Newcastle and that struggle for form had clearly extended to the Selecao.
So it was curious to see Guimaraes, whose club performances have been excellent over the past two weeks, dropped from Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in Chile on Thursday evening.
His father, Dick, spoke out when he posted: “Bruno, every opportunity is a chance to show your value, both on the bench and on the field. Stay focused and prepared, because your time always comes. I trust you!’
Dick is a popular man on Tyneside, and I am sure readers of this column will echo his sentiments.
We shouldn’t expect Newcastle to announce a hugely inflated deal with a Saudi company in light of this week’s revelations with Manchester City
Bruno Guimaraes dropped out for Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in Chile on Thursday evening.
Show Teaser
It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzle piece was… can you name the FOURTEEN players who have played for Newcastle and Everton since 1992/93?
The answers were; Christian Atsu, Peter Beardsley, Sylvain Distin, Duncan Ferguson, David Ginola, Anthony Gordon, Dan Gosling, Marc Hottiger, Alessandro Pistone, Salomon Rondon, Louis Saha, Gary Speed, Andros Townsend, Steve Watson.
This week’s puzzle piece is: can you name the SEVENTEEN players who have played for Newcastle and Bolton since 1992? Why Bolton? Why not, it’s international week!