Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier has opted out of international duty with England, citing a ‘personal matter,’ as confirmed by the club. Despite featuring in England’s recent 2-0 victory over Malta, the right-back will miss the upcoming clash with North Macedonia, returning to Tyneside.
In Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this round of internationals, Trippier, the sole representative from Newcastle, played the entire 90 minutes in the right-back position during the underwhelming performance against Malta at Wembley. His withdrawal follows Callum Wilson’s earlier exit due to injury.
Newcastle fans, having previously supported Trippier amidst a confrontation with an irate supporter following a defeat to Bournemouth, are likely to extend their encouragement upon learning of his departure from national duty. Trippier’s wife, Charlotte, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received after the incident.
Regarding his aspirations for Euro 2024 selection, Trippier acknowledges the need to maintain high performance levels at St James’ Park. Recognizing the competition among England’s talented full-backs, he emphasized the importance of focusing on personal performances. Trippier’s commitment to self-belief and overcoming career challenges is evident, as he reflects on consistently facing top right-backs throughout his career.
Trippier’s dedication to excelling at the club level reflects his understanding of the competitive landscape, emphasizing the necessity to perform at a consistently high level to secure a spot on the plane for the upcoming tournament in Germany.
