Newcastle skipper Kieran Trippier insists that Toon boss Eddie Howe deserves the chance to test himself in the Champions League.
Trippier is taking nothing for granted about his club’s top-four chances - despite the fact they need just three wins to clinch a place amongst Europe’s elite.
But qualification would be a triumph for Howe - and England international Trippier is backing his gaffer to compete against anyone.
“I've known the manager for a long time and I know what he demands on and off the pitch,” said Trippier, who first worked with Howe at Burnley over a decade ago.
“You only need to look at the players in the group before the takeover and how he has improved them and all of us.
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“He's done incredibly well for everyone at the club.
“Eddie has worked hard. Bournemouth, Burnley and back to Bournemouth.
“He's also had time out to reflect on everything and I spent some good time with him in Madrid when he was there when he was watching different clubs around Europe and how they work.
“He has taken this chance at Newcastle with both hands and deserves a lot of credit.
“The boys love him. The gaffer is an incredible man-manager. Everything about him is unbelievable.”
Howe's Newcastle are closing in on a Champions League place (AP)Howe and his players have restored pride in the football-mad city on the banks of the Tyne.
Trippier had no hesitation in reuniting himself with Howe in the north-east when Newcastle met Atletico Madrid’s £12 million asking price in January 2022.
The Saudi Arabian buy-out of Mike Ashley had been completed three months earlier and the defender admits that the fight for the top four has surprised him.
Trippier said: “Even when I signed Newcastle were still not in a good moment and I didn’t think we would progress so fast.
“I hold no regrets about signing for the club because I believed in the decision when I made it and I never look back.
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“But you don't realise how big Newcastle are unless you play for them.
“I am always trying to get into people's ears to tell them how good the support is.
“The fans pay their well earned money to come and watch us and we all take time to appreciate their backing.
“They went through a tough few years and it’s great that they have started to believe again.”
Bottom club Southampton now travel to St James’ Park and it would be a shock if Newcastle fail to tick off another win.
Trippier says Newcastle haven't done the job yet (PA)But Trippier warned: “We are not looking at how many wins we need.
“I’ve spoken to the lads about it. That’s not what we focus on. We must focus on our next game.
“Every game is a final and Southampton are next. They played really well against Arsenal last week and you have to respect the opposition.
“We are both fighting for very different reasons so we know it's going to be a difficult game.”
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