· 25 May 2025, 12:30
**Newcastle United are preparing for the final game of the season, which sees them take on Everton at St James' Park at 4:30 pm this afternoon - inexplicably not being shown live on UK TV.**
A win for Newcastle guarantees Champions League football returns to St James' Park next season, while failure to win leaves our fate in the hands of others.
It's highly likely that whatever happens, our spot in the Europa Conference League will be upgraded to Europa League as we'll finish sixth, but again, even that isn't guaranteed thanks to this crazy league and it's bizarre results this season.
It's important, then, that Eddie Howe has his very best players to pick from today, with big question marks over the fitness of key players Kieran Trippier and Alexander Isak.
Kieran Trippier has shared a match-day graphic to his Instagram story
Kieran Trippier has dropped a massive hint on his availability
--------------------------------------------------------------
In our lineup prediction, we included both players in our starting XI, probably more in hope than actual belief, but Kieran Trippier has dropped a huge hint over his availability today.
The Renaissance man has been massive for Newcastle in the latter stages of this season but his recent injury came at the worst possible time, missing the last two games against Chelsea and Arsenal.
However, this morning Trippier shared a match-day graphic to his [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ktrippier2/) story, something he did not do for the last two games, which suggests he will be involved this afternoon.
We've got all extremities crossed for good news on Alexander Isak
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Trippier's involvement is a massive boost for a side that is already missing Joelinton.
Now we just have to hope that Alexander Isak has also recovered enough from his groin injury to make a return to the lineup today.
It's one more game, Alex. You can do this!