Kieran Trippier latest player to withdraw from England squad

• England defender Kieran Trippier has left the nation’s training camp 
• Trippier has returned to his club Newcastle United due to what was termed as personal reasons
• England are set to face North Macedonia on Monday in their final Euro 2024 qualifier

Newcastle United has officially announced that Kieran Trippier has withdrawn from the England squad for personal reasons. Trippier, who played the entire 90 minutes in England’s recent 2-0 victory over Malta, will miss the Three Lions’ final Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia on Monday.

In a brief statement, Newcastle United conveyed the news, stating, “Newcastle United can confirm that Kieran Trippier has returned home from the England squad due to a personal matter.” While England has already secured their position as group winners, Trippier’s absence poses a challenge for manager Gareth Southgate, particularly in the left-back position.

Southgate’s squad boasts several right-back options, including Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Rico Lewis. However, the absence of a natural left-back in the current team has often led to Trippier’s versatility being utilized in that role. AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, typically a center-back, filled the left-back position against Malta, but his discomfort in the new role resulted in his substitution at half-time.

Kierran Trippier has left the England camp and returned to Newcastle United. | PHOTO: Independent |

READ: Kieran Trippier biography and net worth

Southgate acknowledged the challenges in the left-back position after the Malta game, stating, “We’ve asked people to fill roles that aren’t their usual position, like Fikayo, and it’s not easy for him to build down that side. We’ve got problems with availability in that area of the pitch, and you are trying to give some players a rest.”

Trippier’s absence against North Macedonia will force Southgate to once again experiment with alternative options. Bukayo Saka, an accomplished forward in the Premier League, has prior experience playing at left-back. Additionally, center-backs Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi may be deployed out wide to help address the void.

The left-back position has become a headache for Southgate, as his primary candidates for the role are unavailable due to injuries. Luke Shaw of Manchester United and Ben Chilwell of Chelsea, two leading left-back choices for Southgate, are both sidelined. Rico Henry of Brentford is also unavailable, and Newcastle’s makeshift left-back, Dan Burn, is ruled out with a back problem.

Trippier’s versatility has been crucial for England, and his absence highlights the challenges faced by Southgate in finding suitable alternatives, especially in positions where players are not in their usual roles. The manager must navigate this predicament with creativity and tactical adjustments to maintain the team’s defensive stability.

As England faces North Macedonia in a match where pride is at stake, the focus will be on how Southgate addresses the left-back dilemma and whether the experimental choices can deliver a cohesive defensive performance. Trippier’s withdrawal adds an extra layer of intrigue to the final Euro 2024 qualifier, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and depth in international squads.