Euro 2024

[monks data]

Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Nov 20, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

Tose Proeski Arena

N. Macedonia
1 - 1
England

Bardhi (41')
Elmas (17')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Atanasov (59' og.)
Lewis (40'), Alexander-Arnold (56')

Kieran Trippier withdraws from England squad for personal reasons

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 19 November 2023

England announce that Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier will not be involved in Monday's Euro 2024 qualifier with North Macedonia due to a personal issue.

Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has pulled out of the England squad ahead of their final Euro 2024 qualifying fixture with North Macedonia due to personal reasons.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid man has been a stalwart of the Three Lions' squad under Gareth Southgate and won his 46th cap in Friday's 2-0 win over Malta.

Trippier completed the full 90 minutes at right-back for England at Wembley, having previously been deployed on the left-hand side in last month's 3-1 beating of reigning champions Italy.

While Southgate is expected to ring the changes for Monday's showdown with North Macedonia, Trippier would have been expected to be involved in some capacity in Skopje.

However, England have now revealed that the 33-year-old has been forced to leave the camp due to a personal matter, and he will not be involved in the Three Lions' final group fixture.

Kieran Trippier in action for Newcastle United on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

While Trippier will not take part in Monday's fixture, England confirmed that another 22 players were out on the training pitches at Hotspur Way as they endeavour to end a successful qualifying campaign on a high note.

Friday's two-goal success over Malta - which saw Enrico Pepe turn into his own net before Harry Kane finished off a sweeping move in the 75th minute - moved Southgate's men onto 19 points from a possible 21 in Group C so far.

The manner of England's performance at Wembley was an uninspiring one, but the Three Lions - who had already sealed a first-placed finish in the section - are now on the cusp of sealing a place in Pot 1 of the group-stage draw.

The top five teams in qualifying will join Germany in Pot 1, and England only need a point in their showdown with North Macedonia to join the hosts, Portugal and France in the coveted section.

Southgate has already had to deal with a number of fitness concerns for November's final two games though, being deprived of John Stones, Ben Chilwell, Luke Shaw and Reece James before naming his squad.

England manager Gareth Southgate before the match on November 17, 2023 © Reuters

Callum Wilson, James Maddison and Lewis Dunk all withdrew from the squad before the team arrived at St George's Park, after which Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill were ruled out too.

England's physical woes worsened on Friday, as Marcus Rashford only lasted 61 minutes against Malta, having come off worse in a collision with teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Cole Palmer was brought on for his debut in place of the stricken Rashford, although Southgate does not believe that the Manchester United man is nursing a serious problem.

Nevertheless, Rashford's issue could open the door for Palmer to make his full debut on Monday, where Rico Lewis and Ezri Konsa will also be aiming to earn their first senior minutes for their country.