---
title: "Newcastle: Kieran Trippier facing late fitness test"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/kieran-trippier-fitness-test-newcastle-villa-injury-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2022-02-13T10:05:48Z"
modified: "2022-02-13T10:05:48Z"
---

# Newcastle: Kieran Trippier facing late fitness test

**Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier could miss this afternoon’s clash with Aston Villa with a calf problem, according to [Lee Ryder](https://twitter.com/lee_ryder/status/1492076137803128839).**

### The Lowdown: First goal

Trippier arrived at St James’ Park last month from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth [£12m](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12509895/kieran-trippier-newcastle-complete-12m-signing-of-atletico-madrid-and-england-defender).

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Since then, the 31-year-old has made [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kieran-trippier/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/95810/verein/762) Premier League appearances, scoring his [first](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kieran-trippier/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/95810/verein/762) goal for the club in a 3-1 win over Everton on Tuesday.

He is yet to suffer defeat as a Newcastle player in the top flight, but he may be forced to sit it out against Aston Villa today after going off late on against the Toffees.

### The Latest: Ryder’s post

[Ryder](https://twitter.com/lee_ryder/status/1492076137803128839), Newcastle’s chief writer for [The Chronicle](https://t.co/ayiKLwSNPD), took to Twitter on Friday to relay news from Eddie Howe’s press conference.

When it came to Trippier, the journalist posted that the defender is facing a ‘late’ fitness test to see whether or not he can feature against Steven Gerrard’s side.

### The Verdict: Fingers crossed

Of course, Trippier should only start if he is fully fit, with Howe labelling him as [‘key’](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kieran-trippier-injury-newcastle-united-23060811) to the club’s upturn in form in recent weeks.

He has been the club’s best-rated Premier League performer since arriving on Tyneside (as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle-United)), with an outstanding average match rating of 7.88/10.

No Magpies player has won more tackles, made more interceptions or completed more passes per [90](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle-United) than Trippier, so hopefully he will pass a late fitness test over the coming hours.

***In other news: [NUFC in talks for £20.7m-rated colossus; had best aerial success rate in Europe](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/newcastle-nikola-milenkovic-talks-held/)***