Fears Trippier could miss a run of games

EDDIE HOWE fears an extended spell on the sidelines for influential defender Kieran Tripper.

- NICK LOUGHLIN [e-mail]

The right-back didn't travel to Marseille for Tuesday's Champions League defeat because of a troublesome hamstring injury.

He also missed last weekend's win over Manchester City and Howe said of the former England man: "With Kieran's injury, we're not quite sure how long he will be out. That leaves us short of options in the fullback position."

Tino Livramento is back in the side after injury, but Howe is wary of his workload after he missed two months with a knee injury. Emil Krafth can also play right-back but he, too, was absent in France due to injury.

Tripper, 35, is out of contract in the summer.