KIERAN TRIPPIER was involved in a full-time row with a Newcastle fan after their defeat at Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe’s squad went over to applaud their travelling fans, who made a 700-mile round trip, following the 2-0 loss at the Vitality.
But the England defender marched up to the away end and was caught in a confrontation with one — eventually having to be dragged away by Joelinton and a steward.
Responding to the angry fan, Trippier shouted: “Are the lads not giving everything? How many injuries have we got, how many injuries have we got? Hey?”
The Magpies were without nine players through injury before kick-off, as well as two suspensions, and lost Miguel Almiron to a hamstring problem during the first half.
Asked about the incident, Trippier said: “It was just one of those where they were emotional and they have travelled far — we were having a chat.
“A message to the fans we apologise for this result and the lads are giving everything in the circumstances the lads are in.
“We are not panicking and we must stick together.
“The international break has come at the right time for the team and to have some down time and refresh then come back. After the break it will be relentless again.
“We weren’t ourselves. We were way off it and Bournemouth deserved the win.
“They are a good side. We knew it would be tough coming here. We tried to play our way under the circumstances — but there’s no excuses.
“That’s the reality. We wanted to play Champions League football and in every competition.
“This is what we want. We’ve lost a lot of players but this is when we need to stand up and give even more.”
Boss Howe, who consoled Trippier after the row, added: “Kieran is fine. Emotions run high, we all feel a bit emotional after that from our perspective, but no problems.
“We thank all our away support, we value them greatly and that will have been tough for them to watch.”
Howe also confirmed that striker Callum Wilson, who picked up a hamstring injury at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, will not be joining up with the England squad for qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
He said: “He won’t travel with England — he’s going to be out for a number of weeks.”
Newcastle have got a host of players unavailable including Wilson, Almiron, Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn and Harvey Barnes.
And they are heading into a tough set of fixtures after the international break.
A home clash with Chelsea is followed up by a trip to Paris Saint-Germain in a crunch Champions League clash.
They then host Manchester United, before travelling to Everton and Tottenham. — The Sun.