EDDIE Howe admits Kieran Trippier's calf injury is proving more problematic than first anticipated - with the defender having undergone further scans and tests to try and get to the bottom of the issue.

Trippier hasn't played since the win over Wolves more than a month ago and although Howe previously said he hoped the England international would be back in contention for last week's visit of West Ham, it's now unclear when the right-back will be ready to return.

Howe explained: "He hasn't had a setback. With Kieran, he had a calf problem that initially, look, I always try and give you honest feedback on scan results and timeframes, but those timeframes, especially early in the injury, are just that.

"They're an estimate. Now some injuries, I'm sure people will be frustrated that the manager said it'd be four weeks, but it's ended up being six, seven or eight, but that's just the nature of medicine and science. So Kieran will be a little bit longer than we anticipated he would be, purely from the fact he's had no setback but the injury is just taking long than we first thought.

"He's had rescans and he's been to see different people and we feel this is the best thing for him."

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Trippier will miss Saturday's trip to Fulham, as will Tino Livramento and Miguel Almiron, but Lewis Hall is expected to be fit to play after being brought off against Everton due to fatigue.

Howe said: "Tino's was quite obvious when you look back. It was quite strange, the ball has hit his ankle before he's gone to plant it on the floor and it's twisted it to an uncomfortable angle.

"Thankfully it's not as serious as it could have been and we anticipate he'll be back quite quickly. Miggy, just crossing the ball, he got his studs caught in the turf and tweaked his knee, not serious but a few weeks.

"Tino will be around a month but initially when you see a twist like that you fear it will be longer."

Newcastle still hope to have Nick Pope and Callum Wilson back at the end of this month - but Howe is reluctant to set a concrete timeframe.

On Pope, he said: "We're still hoping that it'll be the end of April initially again, but similar to Kieran we'll take the time needed to try and get him right. If that's a bit longer, that's a bit longer, if it's shorter than great.

"He's out on the training pitch, he's not training with us yet, he's making the early stages in terms of diving and getting a feel for goalkeeping again. But it is early stages and we've got to make sure that we don't put him at risk."

And on Wilson, he added: "He's looking good, he's doing the hard yards, running hard. He's able to keep very fit and build his strength. I anticipate when he comes back he'll be looking really good."

Howe also revealed Jamaal Lascelles has had surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in last week's win over West Ham.

He said: "It's a big blow for us and of course for Jamaal. He's been excellent this season, behind the scenes he's been a key part of our leadership team. His standards are exceptional. He's been in really good physical shape but it's just one of those things, he's come together with Antonio, taken a bit of his weight and ended up with a serious injury.

"I think initially for a player it's always difficult to understand and accept one minute you're in the team then you need a long period of rehab. He's had his operation, which was successful. He's already on the road to recovery, but he'll have some low moments during that long stretch. He has a good team of people around him and Sven who is in the same situation."