Kieran Trippier must wait to fulfil his England dream he shared on the day he signed for Newcastle United. Despite starting just one game since breaking his metatarsal in February, Gareth Southgate named the right-back in his Three Lions squad for the Nations League triple-header against Hungary, Germany and Italy.
His inclusion made him the first Magpies player to earn an England call-up since Andros Townsend in 2016. Trippier - who has 35 Three Lions caps - outlined his ambition to retain his international place after signing for Newcastle in January.
However, the defender was denied a long-awaited return as he watched from the bench during England's shock 1-0 defeat to Hungary. Dominik Szoboszlai bagged a 66th-minute penalty to stun Southgate's side in their Nations League opener.
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Trippier signalled his desire is to retain his England place - despite facing stiff competition at right-back - upon arrival from Atletico Madrid. “I’m still ambitious, I still want to get in the England team," he said.
"I know I’m up against Reece James, Kyle Walker and Trent (Alexander-Arnold) and I feel I can still handle the pressure and performances.
“I still feel like I’m in very good shape. I’m looking to challenge myself again and I’ll never give up on England. 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.”
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