Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has played down Kieran Trippier's Instagram post which led to a frenzy of talk that the England full-back was on the brink of leaving St James' Park.
Trippier posed with Tom Spring, who is currently working as head of scouting at Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, and posted a caption reading "good meeting" suggesting that the evening had been business rather than pleasure. But Howe said he was not concerned about Trippier's future.
Howe told Chronicle Live: "It is difficult for me to comment on. For Kieran he is on holiday and he is having down time after exploits with the national team.
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"Yeah, he has total freedom to enjoy his holiday. The picture in question is a personal relationship, I don't think it is related to any club."
When asked if Trippier would be linking up with Newcastle after their tour of Japan, Howe said: "Yeah, absolutely."
Meanwhile, Howe has admitted for the first time that he does have an interest in AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw. But insists there are "no updates" as negotiations between Newcastle and Milan continue.
Howe said: "I am always reluctant to comment but he is a player that I know about. I remember him from our games against AC Milan from the Champions League. But that is it really."
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