KIERAN TRIPPIER insists he is “ready to go for the Euros” after proving his fitness in England’s friendly win over Bosnia in Newcastle last night.

Trippier missed most of the last two months of the season with a calf injury, and having only been a substitute on the final day of the campaign at Brentford, the full-back was at the heart of another injury scare when he was taken off in the first half of Newcastle’s post-season exhibition game against Tottenham.

That was a pre-planned move though, and having insisted he was back to full fitness prior to last night’s outing at St James’ Park, the 33-year-old played for the opening hour as England won the first of their two warm-up games ahead of their opening group game at the Euros against Serbia on June 16.

His availability is a major boost to Gareth Southgate, with question marks over Luke Shaw’s wellbeing meaning Trippier could well find himself starting at left-back when England play their tournament opener in Gelsenkirchen.

“Am I ready to start? I suppose you’ll have to ask Gareth,” said Trippier. “I’m fit. If I pick the team, then obviously I put myself in it. 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.

“I felt really fit (in the Bosnia game), and I got another 60-odd minutes under my belt, which is always important. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fresh, and I’m ready to go for the Euros. Then we’ll come back for pre-season and see what happens.”

Trippier suffered his calf injury in early March, and while it was initially thought the problem would only sideline him for a couple of weeks, he was not able to return for Newcastle until the middle of May.

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There have been suggestions he was putting his desire to represent England at the Euros above the needs of his club side, but he insists nothing could be further from the truth.

“It was a difficult moment (being injured),” he said. “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.”

Last night’s game was an especially proud moment for the Newcastle skipper as not only did he captain his country at his home ground, he did so with his son, Jacob, alongside him as a mascot.

“It was a very special night, leading the lads out and having my son with me as well,” said Trippier. “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.”