England head coach Gareth Southgate has breathed a sigh of relief after Kieran Trippier dealt him a worrying injury scare in Australia.

Trippier, who is in line to start Euro 2024 as left-back amid major fitness doubts over Luke Shaw, is currently Down Under with Newcastle on a post-season tour.

But the full-back was substituted in the 36th minute of Wednesday’s game against Tottenham before immediately applying ice to his ankle, raising fears that he had suffered an injury.

However, after the game Eddie Howe said the substitution was pre-planned while Mail Sport understands there has been no ill-effects despite Trippier taking action to ice the joint after coming off the pitch.

Any injury to Trippier would have come as a huge blow to Southgate given Shaw’s remote chances of proving his fitness for the tournament.

Without Shaw, and Ben Chilwell – who wasn’t named in the party, there isn’t a natural left-back in the England squad for the European Championships meaning Trippier’s versatility of playing on either flank will be crucial.

The fact Trippier has only recently returned from an injury that saw him sidelined for two months only served to complicate Southgate’s mounting injury problems heading into Germany.

Indeed, Trippier was outspoken against his side’s decision to fly to Australia following the end of the Premier League season.

‘It’s not ideal because it’s a tournament year,’ Trippier said.

‘I’ve done it at Tottenham and Madrid but from my own experience of it — in a tournament year [with the Euros and Copa America] it’s not ideal.

‘It’s not like it’s Benidorm, round the corner, it’s 25 hours away. There’s no excuses or anything, I understand why the club are doing it and we’ve just got to get on with it.

‘Tottenham are doing it. It’s one of those where you have just got to get on with it, but of course, for me as a player, it’s not really ideal.

‘My expression says it all! I understand why the club are doing it, but we’re players, we’ve got to do what’s right for the club, for the club to move forward. When we’re there it’ll be good, we’ll embrace it and experience it. Hopefully it goes smoothly.’