Howe hails Trippier's 'incredibly strong character' 'our turn to support him'
Eddie Howe has thrown his support behind Kieran Trippier after the defender had a night to forget at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Newcastle were knocked out of the EFL Cup after Chelsea forward Mikhalio Mudryk scored an equaliser in the 92nd minute of the game, before Mauricio Pochettino's side went on to win the shootout 4-2 and book their place in the semi-finals.
Trippier came on to replace Emil Krafth at half-time after Callum Wilson had fired the away side ahead after 16 minutes.
The England right-back would ultimately give Chelsea a lifeline in the dying embers of the match, with Trippier failing to deal with a cross from Malo Gusto, heading the ball down to Mykhailo Mudryk who pulled a goal back for Chelsea and sent the game to penalties.
Trippier would go second in the shoot out but agonisingly sent his spot-kick wide of the uprights, with Matt Ritchie having his spot-kick saved by Djordje Petrovic, sealing the victory for Chelsea.
But Newcastle boss, Howe, reflected on how influential the 33-year-old has been for Newcastle since he joined from Atletico Madrid in 2022, before putting his support behind the defender.
'Tripps [Trippier] is an incredibly strong character,' Howe said during his post-match press conference.
'As I've said many times he's a transformative signing. Someone that's taken the group onto a totally different level.
'He's been the heartbeat of that. So when he's given us so much now it's our turn to support him and look after him the other way and that's what we'll do.'
Trippier has been one of Newcastle's brightest stars in recent years, having helped guide them to the Champions League last season.
While it has been a difficult month for the defender, it's worth noting that he still ranks joint-top of
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