‘Not ideal’ - Kieran Trippier’s brutally honest verdict on Newcastle United and Spurs’ Australia trip

Kieran Trippier has revealed Newcastle United’s plans to travel to Australia for two post-season friendly matches are ‘not ideal’ for him and his teammates - particularly those aiming to represent their country in various international tournaments this summer. Both the European Championships and Copa America will take place between June and July, giving those players just a few weeks rest either side of the tournaments before domestic action resumes in August.

The Magpies, who have recently announced a pre-season trip to Japan, will face Tottenham Hotspur and an A-League All Stars side during their trip to Melbourne next week. Trippier, who made his first start since March at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, has admitted he isn’t a fan of the trip, but respected the club’s reasoning for the decision.

Trippier said: “My expression says it all! 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 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.”

There will be around three weeks from Newcastle United returning from Australia and England’s Euro 2024 campaign getting underway against Serbia on Sunday 16 June at Veltins-Arena. Despite injury issues of late, Trippier will be hopeful of securing a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the tournament in Germany - one that could be his last at international level.

Asked if the trip to Australia could have a knock-on effect for England, Trippier played down the potential impact: “It’s not just England, you’ve got so many nations and clubs. Tottenham are doing it. 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. There’s no excuses or anything, I understand why the club are doing it and we’ve just got to get on with it.”