Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has backed Kieran Trippier to respond after committing a series of costly errors in recent weeks.
Trippier has largely been a model of consistency since joining Newcastle from Atletico Madrid in January 2022 and has continued to excel going forwards this season, with only Pedro Neto and Mohamed Salah matching his tally of seven Premier League assists.
However, he was twice punished for conceding possession cheaply as Everton beat Newcastle 3-0 earlier in December, and he endured another torrid outing against Chelsea in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.
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Trippier failed to deal with a deep cross from the Chelsea right as Mykhailo Mudryk’s stoppage-time leveller forced a penalty shoot-out, in which he joined Matt Ritchie in failing to convert as the Blues ran out 4-2 winners.
With fellow full-back Tino Livramento impressing in a makeshift role on the left, some have suggested Trippier should be taken out of the firing line, but Howe is confident he will return to form.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Luton Town, Howe said: “Kieran’s fine. He’s a very strong character and vastly experienced.
“It’s never about one individual, it’s about the collective and that’s what we’ve shown this week.
“He is a very strong character, a standard setter, and a role model. We’ve all been in these positions before.”
A trip to Kenilworth Road is up next ????
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Howe has been battling a lengthy injury list this season, and he could have further issues to deal with on Saturday with Anthony Gordon, Fabian Schar, Joelinton and Alexander Isak all doubtful.
Asked about Gordon, who was caught by a clumsy challenge from Moises Caicedo in midweek, Howe said: “He’s sore. It was a horrible tackle on him, I thought, when reviewing it and watching it properly.
“We’re really disappointed with the tackle, but we’ll see how he is today. Hopefully he’ll improve quickly.”
Howe added Isak was “50-50” for Saturday’s trip to Kenilworth Road after suffering a groin injury, while also providing an update on Schar and Joelinton after they underwent scans.
“It’s nothing too serious for either, maybe for Joelinton slightly more than Fabian,” Howe said. “We’ll make a decision on both players in the build-up to the game.”
