Eddie Howe has backed Kieran Trippier to be a 'huge player' in Newcastle United's relegation fight after the new signing 'instantly' built up relationships with his team-mates.
Trippier was one of the few Newcastle players to emerge with credit following the Magpies' humiliating FA Cup third-round defeat against Cambridge United on Saturday.
The England international caught the eye on his debut with his crosses and corners and was also a vocal presence throughout as he encouraged those around him.
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Newcastle lacked a figurehead to get on the end of some of Trippier's teasing deliveries and Chris Wood is just the type of striker who will thrive off them.
"I thought Kieran was excellent from start to finish," Howe told NUFC TV.
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"I thought he gave a really good display in terms of what he's going to deliver for the team and what he's going to give us: excellent distribution, calmness on the ball, defended very well, some excellent set-play deliveries and balls in the box.
"Now, we needed to attack. We put a number of crosses in. We need to attack those better and get more bodies in the box, but I thought it was a great performance from Kieran.
"You can see that he's instantly built up relationships with the players around him. I think they'll only improve. He's going to be a huge player, as everyone is, to contribute to the effort of staying in the league."
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