Newcastle United are halfway through their controversial post-season tour of Australia.
Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side beat Tottenham on penalties in Melbourne thanks to Mark Gillespie’s save in the shootout.
James Maddison had given Spurs the lead by pouncing on Nick Pope’s sloppy back pass before Alexander Isak levelled the scores for Newcastle just before half-time.
Much has been made about the club’s decision to fly across the world for two games so soon after the end of the season and just before a summer of international tournaments.
England manager Gareth Southgate was not best pleased about it, albeit he will not have to worry about Anthony Gordon after the winger did not travel.
Kieran Trippier also admitted the situation was not “ideal”, with the defender also in Southgate’s provisional squad for the tournament in Germany next month.
With Luke Shaw facing a race against time to feature for the Three Lions and Ben Chilwell omitted, Trippier is surely the most likely player to start the finals at left-back for England.
He’s done that before of course, albeit he will be heading into Euro 2024 in pretty dire form after a difficult second-half of the season.
Still, he will almost certainly be hugely important for Southgate regardless of club form.
So, the sight of Trippier coming off just over 30 minutes into the friendly to be replaced by Jacob Murphy will have been a concern.
Now, more insight has emerged.
Newcastle confirm Kieran Trippier injury latest ahead of Euro 2024
Not long after the shootout, Howe confirmed the substitution had in fact been pre-planned.
“No that was all planned,” he said (via The Chronicle).
“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.”
Kieran Trippier might have made his last appearance for Newcastle
Reportedly facing an uncertain future this summer, that could well be the last time Newcastle supporters see Trippier clad in black and white.
While Howe’s side have a game against an A League All-Stars XI on Friday, the fact Trippier was treated with caution would suggest he’s not quite up to speed.
There would appear to be a strong chance he does not play again on the tour. If he does not, perhaps that was the final act of his Newcastle career.
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