Kieran Trippier insists he CAN start at left back at the Euros amid England's defensive crisis and claims 'I'm ready to go' after fighting back from injury

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Kieran Trippier has declared himself ready to start at Euro 2024 amid England’s left back crisis, as he said: ‘If I’m picking the team, I’m in it!’

The 33-year-old admitted earlier this week that at one point he feared he might not make the finals after a calf injury suffered in March extended into two months on the sidelines.

Trippier returned in the final week of the season with Newcastle and, back at St James’ Park on Monday night, he captained his country to a 3-0 win over Bosnia.

The defender played for more than an hour at left back and would be almost certain to start in the group opener against Serbia a week on Sunday if proving his fitness, especially given Luke Shaw’s likely absence.

‘Am I ready to start? I suppose you’ll have to ask Gareth (Southgate). I’m fit. If I pick the team, then obviously I put myself in it!’ said Trippier. ‘That’s up to Gareth, but I think everyone knows me by now, and whether I play or I don’t play, I’ll be ready.’

Kieran Trippier insisted that he was ready to fill in at left back at the European Championship

The Newcastle star captained the Three Lions at his home ground St James' Park on Monday

How does he feel in himself?

‘I felt really fit. I got another 60-odd minutes under my belt, which is always important,’ he added. ‘I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fresh, and I’m ready to go for the Euros.

‘The time when I got the injury was definitely a difficult moment for me. I tried hard to get back as quickly as I could for Newcastle because it was a busy end to the season, but ultimately, I had to respect that it was a big injury. As long as I know in my head I’ve done everything right to get back as quickly as possible, then that’s all that matters.’

Trippier led out England with his son by side, and he reflected: ‘It was a very special night, leading the lads out and having my son with me as well. He’s walked out with me with Newcastle before, but never with England. 

'It was a great experience for him, and I managed to sneak him into the dressing room after the game to get a few photos with the boys. It’s always an honour, not just to captain the side, but to represent the country.’

Meanwhile, Trippier says his comments in which he appeared to question the wisdom of Newcastle’s post-season tour to Australia were taken out of context.

Trippier led the side out with his son by his side and claimed it was 'a very special night'

‘It was a long journey for the three days, but I think people took some of the things I said before the trip out of context,’ he said. ‘I think some people thought I was being negative about it, but all I was trying to say is that I understand why the club did it.

‘I’ve been at Atletico Madrid and I’ve been at Tottenham, so I understand the commercial side of it. All I said is that it’s a tournament year, but I didn’t mean anything negative by that. When we were there, it was a good trip. A lot of young boys got to play, and we spent a lot of time together.’