Eddie Howe says £12m Newcastle player has been excellent in training since being linked with exit

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The new Premier League season is looming large, and the fight for places is heating up at Newcastle United.

With Newcastle United set to face Southampton on August 17th, Eddie Howe will be starting to ponder who will be in his starting XI for the first game of the season.

While his squad has not been massively strengthened during the transfer window so far, he does have plenty of options – particularly at full-back.

Newcastle fans think Lewis Hall will start at left-back after his impressive performances in pre-season, although he faces competition from Dan Burn and Lloyd Kelly. However, the former may be needed at centre-back.

On the right, it feels like it will be Tino Livramento. He has enjoyed a strong summer too, while Kieran Trippier has only just returned to the fold after his exploits with England.

And he returns amid uncertainty over his future, with West Ham interested in Trippier.

Eddie Howe comments on Kieran Trippier’s future and return to training

It has been reported that Trippier is likely to leave Newcastle, as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at St James’ Park.

The 33-year-old is back in training and could feature in one of this weekend’s friendlies, as Newcastle prepare to face Girona and Stade Brestois.

Ahead of those games, Howe has spoken to the media. He commented on Trippier’s future at the club, and shared some insight on what he has been like in training since his return.

“I don’t think Kieran’s openly looking to leave,” he said.

“He’s been very good in training this week. He has come back with an ambition to play and fight for his place, like every player does in pre-season. I see a player who is fully committed.

“I see him as a huge part of the team and the squad going forward, but while we’re in this moment with FFP affecting the club, there is still the possibility that anyone could leave.

“I won’t talk about individual players but naturally with incomings there will be outgoings too.”

• READ MORE: Who is Kieran Trippier? Age, height, family, net worth

Howe is saying the right things, but Newcastle have Trippier’s replacement

Howe has spoke positively about Trippier, praising the £12million player for his efforts in training.

That comes as no surprise. Howe always speaks glowingly about the defender, while he is a top professional who leads by example in training.

He will be training with the idea of staying at Newcastle United, because there can be no guarantees of a move away. But he does have a contract at St James’ Park, so his immediate priority will be the Magpies.

And that will mean fighting for a place in the starting XI, which is not something he has had to do since joining Newcastle United.

But Tino Livramento looks more than ready to take his place in the starting lineup, with fans eager for him to begin the season in the side.

England international Trippier is pushing him in training, and it will be interesting to see who Howe goes with for the game against Southampton. That could depend on what is happening with Trippier’s future, as a departure still feels probable despite Howe’s comments.

Trippier is set for talks with Newcastle officials about his future, amid West Ham’s interest.