EDDIE HOWE expects Kieran Trippier to play an influential role for Newcastle United this season despite his lack of game time in the early weeks of the campaign.

While Trippier has been a key performer for the vast majority of his time on Tyneside, he has slipped down the defensive pecking order this term, with Tino Livramento getting the nod to start in all four of Newcastle’s Premier League games.

Trippier was in the starting side for the Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest, but was making just his second substitute appearance in the league when he came on for the final 26 minutes of Sunday’s win at Wolves.

The 33-year-old helped shore things up defensively as Newcastle turned things around, and also made a series of effective breaks down the right-hand flank as the Magpies claimed the 2-1 win that helped secure their best start to a league season for 29 years.

It remains to be seen whether Trippier has done enough to secure a return to the starting side for Saturday’s game at Fulham, but regardless of whether or not he starts at Craven Cottage, Howe is confident the full-back will remain a pivotal performer.

Trippier was the subject of strong external transfer interest this summer, most notably from a number of Turkish clubs ahead of their delayed deadline, but Howe was always adamant he wanted to retain his former skipper, who is now in the final year of his contract at St James’ Park.

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“You can’t underestimate what Kieran gives you,” said the Newcastle boss. “A lot has been said about the substitutes at half-time (against Wolves), and they all had a positive impact on the game, but when Kieran came on, you could just feel his quality, whether that was his quality on the ball or his set-play delivery.

“Whatever aspect of his game transfers to the team, it makes a positive difference. We felt stronger when he came onto the field, certainly when we had the ball.

“I’m delighted with him. He looks fitter, and mentally, I think he’s in a good place. He’s got such an important part to play for us this season.”

Last season, Newcastle struggled to assemble a bench for some of their mid-season matches as their injury list threatened to run out of control. Howe still has concerns over a lack of squad depth in certain positions, but with the likes of Trippier, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes having been substitute options at Molineux, his ability to transform a game via his replacements has been transformed.

“There is depth, but that’s with everyone fit,” said Howe. “One or two injuries, and suddenly we’re back to where we were last year where we don’t have the ability to make changes that we want to.

“But the strength of your bench is really a signal to the strength of your starting line-up, and at the moment, we’re looking good. We need that pressure on the starters, where they know they have to perform otherwise they won’t play. That’s a healthy squad dynamic.”