Kieran Trippier has insisted that he must be cautious ahead of Newcastle United's European run-in in the Premier League.
The England full-back was expected back for the Crystal Palace game last week after injuring his calf in the 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. But he was unable to recover in time for the clash at Selhurst Park, which ended in a 2-0 defeat, and he was absent for the 5-1 rout against Sheffield United.
With the European Championships looming and the 33-year-old keen to be back on the field he has insisted he must be patient.
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Trippier told the club programme: "I've had a calf issue and at this stage of the season, and with the amount of games I've played we need to take extra precautions. It's important that there are no setbacks - I don't want to come back and then re-injure myself, so I'm just ticking every box."
Speaking before the 5-1 win over Sheffield United, Howe had said: "We hope he is back soon but he won't be back for this game. Kieran has been so good for us on and off the pitch."
The Magpies face four more Premier League games plus a two-match trip to Australia in post-season. Trippier will hope to be fit for the home friendly clash against Bosnia & Herzegovina and the warm-up encounter with Iceland at Wembley ahead of the European Championships in Germany.
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