Eddie Howe has revealed that Kieran Trippier is a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa, but believes the calf injury he suffered in Tuesday’s win over Everton does NOT look like a ‘long term’ injury.
A ‘late call’ will be made on the England international, however his potential absence would be a real blow – especially when fellow January signing Matt Targett is ineligible to play down the other flank against his parent club.
As a result, Howe has talked about the selection dilemma he’s facing at left-back between Javier Manquillo and Dan Burn – although you suspect the former will go to right-back if Trippier does miss out.
Elsewhere, the NUFC boss has also confirmed that Guimaraes is ‘ready to play’, but whether he starts is another matter after Howe felt we got the balance just right in midfield on Tuesday.
Last but not least, Howe has shut down rumours suggesting we offered Martin Dubravka to Man Utd on deadline day, with this coming after MEN reported that he turned down a ‘loan swap’ involving Dean Henderson.
Here’s what he’s had to say on all of the above…
Howe on Trippier’s injury:
“We don’t think it’s a long term injury but we’ll have to make a late call on him.
“It would be a big blow to lose him.
“He’s been key in our uplift, I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
He’s been so important for us in recent games. I thought he was outstanding against Everton, highlighted by his free-kick.”
“He instantly caught the lads’ respect straight away just by his demeanour, how he approaches training and his leadership skills.
“He was very vocal early on when he came in when speaking to the group but, also, his performances have spoken for themselves.”
Howe on other injuries and who could play at left-back with Targett ineligible:
“No other new injury concerns.
“We, obviously, have the long-term injuries, but Paul Dummett is getting closer to being fit.”
“Fede Fernandez is making progress but still hasn’t trained with the group.”
“We’ve got a decision to make at left back – it’s not an easy one.
“Dan Burn is an option for us and it’s great that I’ve got a couple of options in that position.
“Manquillo has done really well at left-back – he came on against Leeds and made a huge impact.”
Howe on Guimaraes:
“He’s ready to play.
“He’s shown all the technical qualities that we love about him in training already but it’s a case of managing the group and making sure I make the right selections.
“I thought the midfield balance against Everton was really good.”
Howe on Dubravka rumours:
“There was absolutely no truth in Martin Dubravka being offered to Manchester United from our side.”
On the subject of Trippier’s goal, I thought it was rather telling that the entire team came ploughing in on top of him in celebration, followed what felt like minutes later by Shelvey.
I can just imagine that Jonjo was pissed off because Trippier took the free kick and even more annoyed when he scored from it.
Daveys **** mate(Quote)