Eddie Howe says that he wants to sign more players with the same profile as captain Kieran Trippier.
The England full-back has been outstanding in his first full campaign at St James' Park and has helped guide the Magpies into the Champions League. Trippier is now resting up for a week or two before he gets back to work with England for the Euro qualifying campaign with two matches next month.
After signing from Atletico Madrid, Trippier made a flying start to his Toon career with wonder goals against Everton and Aston Villa before getting hit by an ankle injury. This season has been a different story with Trippier playing all 38 Premier League matches.
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Howe said: "When you look back, Kieran was the perfect signing. We felt that at the time.
"We felt he would be a huge lift for us in our relegation battle, to sign someone who'd just won a domestic cup competition, someone with the experience – he's an international – we felt he'd be the perfect fit.
"Obviously, he got injured straight away near enough and that was a huge blow. But then this year, he's played the majority of the season and he's been incredible for us."
Newcastle have already been linked with established Premier League stars including Kieran Tierney of Arsenal and James Maddison on Leicester. Howe wants more like Trippier this summer and while he appreciates that's a tough job to find them, he is hopeful of another player who can have a similar impact.
Howe said: "I think that type of profile fitted for us at that moment. "Those players now are harder to find, but that's our job to try to do it."
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