'Should happen more': Newcastle star makes St James' Park claim ahead of England friendly

Newcastle United full-back Kieran Trippier has said that international friendlies "should happen more" at St James' Park as the Three Lions prepare for their EURO 2024 warm-up game in June.

Trippier has been missing from the Newcastle squad since March after suffering from a calf injury.

His recovery is well underway and the 33-year-old has ambitions of featuring in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for the upcoming European Championships in Germany this summer.

The right-back could be back in the first-team picture this weekend for the Magpies final home game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion.

St James' Park will host an England game in June

The Three Lions will make their first appearance at St James' Park since 2005 when they host Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 3.

Key Newcastle figures such as Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson and Nick Pope will also hope to represent their national team at the ground as they battle for a place on the plane this summer.

Speaking to The Shields Gazette, Trippier said: "I'm looking forward to the England match.
“It's going to be good for the supporters to watch England at St James', it's been almost 20 years since England have played so I think it's good that England gets to travel around.
“I think it should happen more because it gives more fans the opportunity to watch the team.
"I think it'll be really good because we had the experience at Leeds before where it was an unbelievable atmosphere so hopefully Wor Flags can do one better!”

Have England played at St James' Park many times before?

The national team have made several appearances in the North East, most recently in 2005 when Sven-Goran Eriksson's Lions beat Azerbaijan 2-0.

Before that, England played Ukraine in 2004 and Albania in 2001 in what was the first England game since 1938.

The stadium has also hosted many other national teams for EURO 1996 and the 2012 Olympics. The Saudi Arabian national team also recently played two friendlies at the ground in 2023.

St James' Park has been chosen as one of the venues for EURO 2028, so there is a good chance we could see England back at the ground before then.