Soccer

Kieran Trippier ‘not injured’ despite early exit in Newcastle’s friendly at MCG

The full-back was withdrawn before half-time as he continues his quest for full match fitness.

England defender Kieran Trippier did not pick up an injury in Newcastle’s end-of-season friendly against Tottenham in Australia
England defender Kieran Trippier did not pick up an injury in Newcastle’s end-of-season friendly against Tottenham in Australia (Nick Potts/PA)
By Damian Spellman, PA

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has allayed any fears that England defender Kieran Trippier picked up an injury during the club’s end-of-season friendly with Tottenham in Australia.

Trippier, who had started the game in front of a crowd of 78,419 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, lasted just 37 minutes before he was replaced by Jacob Murphy after apparently taking a kick on his ankle.

However, Howe later confirmed that the full-back’s withdrawal was pre-planned as he works his way back to full match fitness ahead of Euro 2024.

He told reporters: “No that was all planned. We spoke to Kieran and thought the best thing to do was start him.

“He is still in the early stages of recovery so we didn’t want to take risks with him. Half an hour was always the aim.

“He did well and is not injured. Let’s see how he feels on Friday. We have to make sure we treat him well at the early stages.”

Trippier, who was named in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man training squad on Tuesday, had previously made just three appearances for his club since the beginning of March after being sidelined by a calf injury.

Southgate will have to reduce the party to 26 by June 7 and the 33-year-old, who has featured in England’s last three major tournaments, will hope to win a seat on the plane.

He looked on from the sidelines in Melbourne as the game finished 1-1 after Alexander Isak had cancelled out James Maddison’s opener with both managers having changed their entire starting XIs.

The Magpies eventually prevailed 5-4 on penalties with youngsters Joe White, Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo, Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby all scoring from the spot after substitute keeper Mark Gillespie had saved Bryan Gil’s opening attempt.

Howe and his players will now start preparations for Friday’s fixture against an A-League All Stars team.