'100%' - Newcastle United star makes fitness claim after being ruled out of nine matches

Kieran Trippier insists he is “100 per-cent” fit as Newcastle United’s bid to secure European qualification goes down to the wire.

The 33-year-old had missed the last nine games with a calf injury before making his return as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Eddie Howe’s side take on Manchester United at Old Trafford this Wednesday, a result that could go a long way to determining their European fate, before travelling to Brentford on the final day of the season. And Trippier is in line to start both fixtures after confirming his fitness.

Speaking at the weekend, he said: “I’m 100% fit. I got a little cameo. Left back, right back, it doesn’t bother me. We’re dead frustrated with the result but we’ve got to move on, we’ve got another game on Wednesday.”

The Magpies currently sit sixth the Premier League table, level on points with seventh place Chelsea and three ahead of Man United in eighth.

Finishing sixth will guarantee European football for next season, while seventh could also be an entry into Europe but that would be dependent on Manchester City beating the Red Devils in the FA Cup final.

This season’s Champions League campaign was the first time Newcastle had played in Europe for 10 years. Achieving that for a second successive season would be “massive”, according to Trippier, especially when you consider the unprecedented amount of injuries.

He said: “Throughout my whole career, since I went to Tottenham, I have been in Europe, be it Europa League or Champions League. With the way the club is going, it needs to be in Europe and competing at the top of the Premier League.

“If you look at the course of the season - the setbacks, the ups and downs - to be in the position we are is unbelievable, Europe is massive, and it would be a massive achievement to make it.

“We’ve got a great squad. If that squad was fully fit, it would have been a different season. Our injuries have been ridiculous. At one point we had 12/13 players out.

“Throughout the season you’ll have ups and downs, but what the manager has done for individuals at this club is nothing short of remarkable,’ said Trippier. He’s had a 49 per cent win ratio, it’s unbelievable.

“We are ahead of schedule, you have to respect that. But with that comes expectation and pressure, and us players have to deal with that. But we’ve got the right manager who gives us that never-say-die attitude.”