Kieran Trippier is attempting to encourage and maintain the spirits of those frustrated by a lack of game-time here in Germany, including Newcastle team-mate Anthony Gordon.
Gareth Southgate is set to make only one change for Tuesday’s group finale against Slovenia in Cologne, with Conor Gallagher replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
That means the likes of Gordon and Cole Palmer will continue from the bench, where they have stayed during the entirety of the opening two matches.
So far, Southgate has turned to Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze and Ollie Watkins as his attacking substitutes.
There have been calls for Gordon to play on the left wing, given the problems England have with the balance of the team, and Trippier has been helping his club colleague deal with the disappointment of being kept in reserve.
Kieran Trippier (left) and Anthony Gordon (right) are both at UEFA Euro 2024 with England
But Gordon has yet to receive a minute of game time, nor has Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (left)
‘I took Anthony under my wing a little bit at Newcastle, explaining to him and trying to help guide him when he went away with the Under-21s in the Euros (last summer),’ said Trippier.
‘I said, “Don’t take a holiday, come straight back into pre-season and try and hit the ground running”, and he’s done that.
‘I had a chat with him after training because obviously he’s not played in the two games.
‘But I was just saying to him, “This is tournament football. I’ve been in your position, you’ve got to keep training well and working hard”, which he is doing. I said, “You will be needed at some point in the tournament”. He was on fire in training.’
Trippier played 90 minutes against Serbia and Denmark – and is set to start against Slovenia
Trippier has so far played as a left back as Luke Shaw has been out with a hamstring injury
Trippier, 33, added: ‘I know mentally how hard it is sometimes when you’re the one who has to train the next day (after a game) when everyone else is recovering and doing extra training and stuff.
‘I get it, I’ve been there, and that’s why I try to relate to the other players, who maybe it’s their first tournament. A lot of them have come to me and asked me questions. It’s always important that the young players lean on us.’
