Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with Everton at St James’ Park, offering an update on the injury front.
He’s revealed that Matt Targett is the latest player to be sidelined with an achilles issue. He’s expected to be “back soon”, but the left-back joins a long list of players struggling to be fit for Tuesday.
Kieran Trippier is “improving” after a “difficult” calf injury has seen him miss our last three games against Chelsea, Man City and West Ham.
Howe will “see how he goes” and admits he’s “desperate to be involved” tomorrow. However, the boss feels we must be “very careful” with the right-back and bring him back “at the right time.”
“Kieran is improving.” Howe said. “It has been a difficult injury for him. An injury to the calf, one we have to be very careful with and we’d hoped he’d be fit in and around the West Ham game but we’ll have to wait and see how he goes during this week.”
“He’s desperate to be involved, he knows what’s at stake for us towards the end of the season and his qualities are obvious. We’re desperate to have him back but it has to be at the right time.”
On Matt Targett, Howe added: “Not a big problem, he has a little bit of tendonitits on his achilles. We envisage he will be back soon.”
The former Aston Villa left-back had been nearing full fitness after recovering from hamstring surgery, but it sums up our injury woes this season that he now has a separate issue keeping him sidelined.
