Trippier targets England spot

KIERAN Trippier has vowed not to give up on his England career after swapping Atletico Madrid’s Champions League bid for Newcastle United’s Premier League survival fight.

The 31-year-old, right, who has 35 caps, secured his return to his native country when he completed a move understood to have cost the Magpies £12million plus add-ons on a twoand-a-half-year contract.

Eyebrows may have been raised at the full-back’s decision, while more cynical onlookers have cited the club’s newfound Saudi-backed spending power as a factor, but the former Burnley and Tottenham defender has insisted his ambition remains as strong as ever.

Trippier, who played in his country’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia in 2018 and Euro 2020 final loss to Italy, said: “I’m still ambitious, I still want to get in the England team. I know I’m up against Reece James, Kyle Walker and Trent (Alexander-Arnold) and I feel I can still handle the pressure, I still feel like I’m in very good shape.

“I’m looking to challenge myself again and I’ll never give up on the England team. I’m playing for Newcastle, I need to give good performances for the club.

“I know I’m up against three or four or five other right-backs, but I’m the type of player, I love challenges, I love testing myself and this is another test for me personally.

“But I’ll never give up on the hope of playing for England.”

Trippier’s first assignment could be this afternoon’s FA Cup thirdround tie against League One side Cambridge United at St James’ Park. ■ Swindon’s third-round tie at home to Manchester City finished after the Daily Press deadline last night.