Newcastle United could be set to be without defender Kieran Trippier for two to three months following the foot injury he sustained this weekend.
The 31-year-old scored the winning goal in Sunday's 1-0 win over Aston Villa and looks likely to be sidelined for an extended period of time.
Having only joined the Magpies last month, Trippier has already netted twice since his arrival in the North East and had been named vice-captain of the side.
Following the news today regarding the extent of his injury, the England international looks increasingly likely to miss large parts of this season's key Premier League run-in.
With medical expert Ben Dinnery declaring the average return time for such setback is estimated at around 80 days, the Magpies defender could perhaps make a return before the end of the 21/22 campaign.
The stats for sure don't make for good reading given the data has been collated over a lengthy 10 year period, but that is not to say Trippier's recovery could yield a quicker time frame.
Newcastle currently sit 17th in the Premier League table and have a particularly difficult end to the season.
With a trip to the capital to face Tottenham scheduled for April 2, Howe's side then host Wolves and Newcastle in consecutive home games before rounding off the month with a crucial six pointer against Norwich City at Carrow Road. Then they host Liverpool on April 30.
The Magpies will travel to the Etihad on May 7, with Trippier's return estimated to be around the time United make the trip to the North West.
Given Newcastle have strengthened in more than one area during last month's crucial January transfer window, many fans will be hoping new signing's Chris Wood, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes can all chip in to secure Premier League survival come May.
United's remaining fixtures (* denotes games Trippier would miss within the 80 day timeframe)
* West Ham (a) - 19 February
* Brentford (a) - 26 February
* Brighton (h) - 5 March
* Chelsea (a) - 13 March
* Palace (h) - 19 March
* Spurs (a) - 2 April
* Wolves (h) - 9 April
* Leicester (h) - 16 April
* Norwich (a) - 23 April
* Liverpool (h) - 30 April
Man City (a) - 7 May
Arsenal (h) - 15 May
Burnley (a) - 22 May
