Kieran Trippier offers encouragement to England youngsters who have not yet played a minute at Euro 2024 as he tells Anthony Gordon and Co: ‘You will be needed at some point’

Kieran Trippier aims to encourage and sustain the spirits of those frustrated by a lack of game time here in Germany, including Newcastle teammate Anthony Gordon.

The likes of Gordon and fellow forward Cole Palmer have been left on the bench for the first two games.

So far, Southgate has turned to Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze and Ollie Watkins as his attacking substitutes.

There have been calls for Gordon to play on the left wing given the problems England have with the balance of the team.

But Trippier has helped his club colleague cope with the disappointment of being kept in reserve.

But Gordon has not yet been given a minute of playing time, and neither has Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (left).

“I took Anthony under my wing a bit at Newcastle, educating him and trying to guide him when he went to the European Championship with the Under-21s last summer,” Trippier said.

‘I said, ‘Don’t take a holiday, go straight back to the preparation and try to hit the ground running’, and he did that.

“I had a chat with him after training because he obviously didn’t play in the two games. But I just said to him: “This is tournament football. I have been in your position, you have to keep training well and working hard”, which he does.

‘I said, “You’re going to be needed at some point in the tournament.” He was on fire during training.”

Trippier played 90 minutes against Serbia and Denmark – and will start against Slovenia

Trippier has played as a left back until now, as Luke Shaw was left out with a hamstring injury

Trippier, 33, added: “I know mentally how difficult it is sometimes when you’re the one who has to train the next day (after a match) while everyone else is recovering and training extra and stuff.

“I get it, I’ve been there, and that’s why I’m trying to relate to the other players, who might be their first tournament. Many of them have come to me and asked me questions. It is always important that the young players lean on us.”