Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United reacts after referee Chris Kavanagh and assistant referee Nick Greenhalgh failed to award a penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United on February 14, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)placeholder image
Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United reacts after referee Chris Kavanagh and assistant referee Nick Greenhalgh failed to award a penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United on February 14, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kieran Trippier’s contract at Newcastle United expires at the end of the season.
Kieran Trippier is adamant he remains “far from done” as a footballer amid speculation over his Newcastle United future.
Despite entering his twilight years at 35, the veteran defender has started 11 of Newcastle’s 12 games across all competitions. Injuries to Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth have placed a heavy burden on Trippier this season.
Trippier’s form suffered as he returned from a hamstring problem earlier this year, with many believing his best days are behind him. However, the former England international has looked re-energised in recent weeks and has a vital part to play for the rest of the season.
‘I’m far from done’ - Kieran Trippier
Talk has emerged in recent weeks about whether Trippier will pen a contract extension. His current deal is set to expire at the end of the campaign.
Speaking to the club’s matchday programme, Trippier insisted age is just a number and he has no plans of retiring. He said: “I’m far from done as a player! I think age is just a number. With the nutrition we’ve got these days and the way you look after your body and yourself, it’s key.
“That’s what I’ve been doing throughout my career and I still feel fit, strong, like I’ve still got many years in my playing career. I’m one of the older players in the team but you don’t have to be my age to be a leader, you can be any age. I think we’ve got a really good balance in this squad to lead and a really good leadership group who help the manager and staff at times.”
Eddie Howe on Kieran Trippier importance
Last week, Eddie Howe stayed coy on whether Trippier will extend beyond 2025-26 but stressed how important he remains to the group. The Toon boss said: “I think we just spoke earlier about the reaction of the group in the last five games, and I think epitomising that is Kieran's mentality, where I think after the Brentford game, if I believe, I could be mistaken on the game.
“But he's come out and taken accountability on behalf of the players, which I think is rare in this day and age. And I think he's got those values inside of him that he has to give more, or the team have to give more in any moment, but that filters through the group, and that leadership is almost a dying art in the modern game. So I pay tribute to his leadership.
“All through his time here, he's been a really positive force for the team, for evolving, improving, and in good and bad moments being consistent. workload in recent weeks. We've been well aware of that.
“We've tried to manage his minutes when we can in games. But also, he's very much of the mindset that he wants the rhythm of the games, so he enjoys the games, he wants to play, and he feels he's better when he is regularly playing, so in some sense we've tried to give him that as well. But he's still an outstanding player.”
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