Trippier sparks harm considerations for England after early substitution

Kieran Trippier sparked injury concerns ahead of June’s European Championship after the defender was substituted during Newcastle’s post-season friendly against Tottenham on Wednesday. 

The players from both squads jetted off to Australia hours after their final matches of the season to play the exhibition tie at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which ended in Newcastle’s favour on penalties. 

Eddie Howe named a full-strength squad for the friendly against their Premier League rivals Down Under, with Trippier in the starting line-up – only to be substituted in the 37th minute. 

The defender was seen with an ice pack strapped to his ankle as he watched the remainder of the tie, in news that will be of some concern to England head coach Gareth Southgate. 

But Newcastle confirmed at the end of the match that the substitution had been pre-planned, with the defender still in the ‘early stages of recovery’, according to Howe. 

Kieran Trippier was taken off just past the half-hour mark in Melbourne during Newcastle’s post-season friendly

The club travelled Down Under to face Premier League rivals Tottenham at the iconic MCG

‘No that was all planned,’ Howe stated after the final whistle. ‘We spoke Kieran and thought 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.’

Newcastle will play another friendly match against A-League All Stars XI at the end of the week before making the 23-hour trip home. 

Trippier will then prepare to join up with Southgate after being named to the manager’s provisional 33-man squad ahead of June’s competition in Germany. 

Ahead of flying to Australia for the tour, which has been widely criticised for falling too close to the end of an ardurous top-flight season, Trippier admitted that his club’s tour was ‘far from ideal’. 

‘My expression says it all!’ said a wide-eyed and open-mouthed Trippier when asked about the Australia trip. 

‘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 (with the Euros and Copa America) – it’s not ideal.

‘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.’ 

When asked if it would hamper England’s chances in Germany due to the number of hopefuls featuring including James Maddison and Anthony Gordon, Trippier added: ‘It’s not just England, you’ve got so many nations and clubs. 

‘But 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! 

Eddie Howe (right, with Ange Postecoglou) wafted away fears that the defender had suffered a set-back

Trippier will return to the UK and begin preparing to join up with England ahead of Euro 2024

‘There’s no excuses or anything, I understand why the club are doing it and we’ve just got to get on with it.’

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer on Sunday described the trip as ‘madness’ as he hit out at the tour’s scheduling. 

‘Can you imagine if you are a player who is playing in either the Copa America or Euro 2024 having to do that?’ the pundit said on Match of the Day. 

‘Madness. Crazy. I wouldn’t be happy at all. It’s crazy for Newcastle to go and play Spurs there on Wednesday night and then another game.’