- Newcastle face Tottenham and A-League All Stars XI next week in Australia
- England will name their provisional squad for the Euros during Newcastle’s trip
- CHRIS SUTTON: Fans are sick and tired of VAR… but it’s here to stay – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Kieran Trippier has questioned Newcastle United‘s decision to fly off on a post-season tour of Australia and says it is far from ideal, especially on the eve of the European Championship.
The 33-year-old will be named in Gareth Southgate‘s provisional England squad next week, at the same time as he’ll be in Melbourne with Newcastle.
Eddie Howe‘s side will play a friendly against Tottenham on Wednesday and an A-League All Stars XI on Friday before embarking on their 23-hour return journey to the UK.
Trippier – and the likes of Anthony Gordon and Tottenham’s James Maddison – will then only have a few days before joining up with England.
‘My expression says it all!’ said a wide-eyed and open-mouthed Trippier when asked about the Australia trip.
Kieran Trippier says Newcastle’s post-season tour of Australia ‘is far from ideal’ for the players
Newcastle face Tottenham and A-League All Stars XI next week in Australia before flying back
Trippier will then join up on England duty and try to break into Gareth Southgate’s squad
‘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 Atletico 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.’
Does the tour risk having a detrimental effect on England’s chances in Germany?
‘It’s not just England, you’ve got so many nations and clubs,’ he said. ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Mail Sport can reveal that Newcastle will train at adidas HQ in Germany this summer before their tour of Japan, another long-haul trip those on the playing side believe is not ideal for pre-season preparations.
