Kieran Trippier injury update after Euro 2024 injury scare in meaningless friendly
Trippier was replaced after 37 minutes in Melbourne (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
Eddie Howe has eased any Euro 2024 injury fears for England over Kieran Trippier after the full-back was subbed off during Newcastle United’s post-season friendly against Tottenham in Australia.
Just three days after the final day of the Premier League season, both sides were in action at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of 78.419 fans on Wednesday.
Trippier and James Maddison, both named in Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man England squad this week, started for their respective sides with the Spurs midfielder opening the scoring after 32 minutes.
The Newcastle captain was replaced minutes later however and was seen having an ice pack applied to his ankle as he took a seat on the bench.
Trippier was sidelined in March with a calf injury but returned for his side’s final three games of the season.
Southgate is already contending with a number of injury and fitness concerns ahead of the start of England’s Euro campaign against Serbia on 16 June.
But Howe has revealed Trippier’s withdrawal Down Under was preplanned.
Trippier has only recently returned from injury (Picture: Getty)
‘No that was all planned. We spoke Kieran and thought best thing to do was start him,’ Howe said post-match.
‘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, deployed in both full-back roles by Southgate over the years, will be firmly in contention to start at left-back this summer with major doubts over Luke Shaw’s availability.
The Manchester United star has not played since February and is likely to miss Saturday’s FA Cup final showdown against Manchester City.
While he is being given every opportunity to prove his fitness, Southgate is not optimistic over his chances of making the final 26-man squad.
‘I have to say he is up against it – he’s missed a lot of football,’ Southgate said on Shaw’s fitness. ‘The fact he’s been first choice in that position , we’re probably giving him longer than we might have done. I’m not sure what is realistic at this moment in time.
‘I’ve talked with him, the medical team are liaising with Man Utd closely. But I would have to say he is a long shot.’