Newcastle: Eddie Howe could now unleash £34.2m duo at St James' Park | OneFootball

Newcastle United pair Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson are both likely to be handed starting opportunities before the end of the season, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

The experienced duo have both had lengthy spells on the sidelines, but have recently returned to Eddie Howe’s matchday squad.

What’s been going on with Trippier and Wilson?

Trippier scored in back-to-back games against Everton and Aston Villa in February to announce himself to the St James’ Park faithful, but he hobbled off injured in the second half of the latter game.

It was subsequently revealed that he had broken a bone in his foot, which kept him out for three months, before he finally made his comeback from the bench against Manchester City on last Sunday.

Meanwhile, Wilson picked up his own fitness issue in Newcastle’s final game of 2021 when he went down with a calf injury.

He was ruled out for over four months, but, like Trippier, he also got some minutes under his belt as a substitute against City at the Etihad Stadium.

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What has Downie said about Trippier and Wilson?

Newcastle are now guaranteed to be in the top-flight next season following Leeds’ defeat against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Therefore, Howe does not necessarily have to play Trippier and Wilson as the Magpies don’t have a lot on the line, but Downie still expects the Newcastle boss to start the pair before the season concludes due to how hard they have worked to get back into the squad.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s probably not worth risking them. However, these players have worked really hard to get to where they are, and they’ve really, really pushed themselves to get back because they’ve set their own targets in mind. And I think their targets were to get back within the last 3/4 matches of the season.

“I would be amazed if they don’t start one or both of the last two games. I just think to rush yourself back and get yourself back into contention when the team was safe, just to sit on the bench and come on for 20 minutes here or there would seem a bit pointless.”

Will Trippier and Wilson start against Arsenal?

Newcastle’s final home game of the season comes against Arsenal on Monday. Trippier and Wilson, who have a combined Transfermarkt valuation of £34.2m, will be desperate to play.

Trippier looked relatively sharp off the bench last weekend against City, and Howe may be tempted to throw him straight back into the starting XI at St James’ Park.

He may be a little more cautious when it comes to Wilson, though. The 30-year-old has had multiple muscle injuries this season, and he has missed over half of the campaign due to these setbacks.

As a result, it may be smart for Howe to name Wilson on the bench for the Arsenal clash to ensure that he is eased back into action to limit the risk of him picking up another injury.