There has been a lot of speculation this summer over the future of Eddie Howe and indeed fan-favourite Newcastle United player Kieran Trippier.
The 33-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Tyneside this summer with clubs in the Saudi Pro League supposedly keen on the England full-back.
Eddie Howe has outlined his determination to keep Trippier, and while our preference would be to move him on to create room in the squad for younger talent, we also want him to stick around for what he brings off the pitch. It's a tough call and we can see why it appears that Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell are butting heads over the decision.
Mitchell wants to tidy up the wage bill and lower the average age of the squad, but Trippier and Callum Wilson, who are hiking that average age up are adored by Howe and he wants them to stay.
Over the weekend, Trippier created quite the debate online after being spotted in Newcastle airport heading to the Middle East, sparking transfer rumours. Trippier did himself no favours by posting a photo of himself with the head scout for Al-Ettifaq in Dubai with the caption "Good meeting".
It's likely that Trippier was just on the wind-up knowing how it would be received, but it has been revealed that the two have a pre-existing relationship so chances are they were just meeting socially.
That's certainly how Eddie Howe has chosen to view it anyway.
Speaking to The Shields Gazette out in Japan, Eddie Howe addressed the rumours and confirmed he expects Trippier to link up with the Magpies when they return from Japan.
"It is difficult for me to comment on. For Kieran he is on holiday and he is having down time after exploits with the national team. Yeah, he has total freedom to enjoy his holiday. The picture in question is a personal relationship, I don't think it is related to any club."
When asked definitively whether he expects Trippier to return to Newcastle, Howe gave a two-word response.
"Yeah, absolutely."
PL | GD | PTS | ||
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1 |
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23 | 35 | 56 |
2 |
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24 | 27 | 50 |
3 |
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24 | 13 | 47 |
4 |
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24 | 16 | 43 |
5 |
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24 | 13 | 41 |
6 |
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24 | 13 | 41 |
7 |
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24 | 13 | 40 |
8 |
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24 | -3 | 37 |
9 |
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24 | 4 | 36 |
10 |
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24 | -3 | 34 |
11 |
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24 | 0 | 31 |
12 |
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24 | -2 | 30 |
13 |
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24 | -6 | 29 |
14 |
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24 | 11 | 27 |
15 |
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24 | -17 | 27 |
16 |
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23 | -5 | 26 |
17 |
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24 | -18 | 19 |
18 |
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24 | -28 | 17 |
19 |
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24 | -27 | 16 |
20 |
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24 | -36 | 9 |