Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Newcastle United, Kieran Trippier, Football, Premier League, England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Injury
Ryan Smart
Topics: Newcastle United, Kieran Trippier, Football, Premier League, England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Injury
Newcastle have provided an update on the fitness of Kieran Trippier after the defender was substituted during his side's post-season friendly against Tottenham.
The two Premier League clubs played in a one-off friendly in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday - just three days since the conclusion of their competitive seasons.
Trippier was one of two players named in England's provisional Euro 2024 squad to play in the match, with Tottenham's James Maddison the other.
The 34-year-old is one of only three left-back options named in the squad - and one of two fully-fit options - with Liverpool's Joe Gomez and the injured Manchester United defender Luke Shaw also picked by Gareth Southgate.
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As a result, there was some concern when Trippier was spotted using an ice pack on the bench after being substituted against Spurs on Wednesday morning.
Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder reported that the substitution was pre-planned, although the presence of an ice pack on his ankle will have had some England supporters fearful with Euro 2024 just weeks away.
However, Newcastle have now dispelled any fears by confirming that Trippier was not injured during the friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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The Englishman was taken off as part of a pre-planned substitution, with the right-back described as 'absolutely fine' by Sky Sports News after his brief cameo in Australia.
Newcastle did win the friendly via a penalty shoot-out.
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Anthony Gordon was the other Newcastle player named in the England squad, but missed out on the Australia trip as a precaution due to a recent injury. He is expected to be fully fit for friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland next month.
Trippier, meanwhile, made his views clear on the Australia friendly days before the game.
He said: "It's not ideal, because it's a tournament year.
"I understand why the club are doing it. I've done it at Tottenham and Atletico Madrid. But from my own experience of it - in a tournament year - it's not ideal.
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"But we're players, we've got to do what's right for the club, for the club to move forward. When we're there it'll be good, we'll embrace it and experience it. Hopefully it goes smoothly.
"It's one of those where you have just got to get on with it. But of course, for me as a player, it's not really ideal. It's not like it's Benidorm round the corner. It's 25 hours away!
"There's no excuses or anything. I understand why the club are doing it, and we've just got to get on with it."