Not many supporters elsewhere would be quite so excited about a right-back stepping up his rehab, but the mere sight of Kieran Trippier back on an exercise bike this week delighted Newcastle United fans. It is easy to see why.
It is a team game, of course, but in the four league games before Trippier completed his mid-season move from Atletico Madrid, Newcastle conceded 12 goals and claimed just a point against some admittedly difficult opposition. In contrast, in the four top-flight fixtures the England international played in, Newcastle picked up 10 points and let in just two goals after previously only winning one game all season.
When it came to crosses (10), touches (266) and passes completed in the opposition half (55), the influential Trippier led the way in the games he played for Newcastle and also scored two crucial free-kicks against Everton and Aston Villa. Defensively, too, only Joelinton made more successful tackles than Trippier (12) in those matches while no one made more interceptions (10).
