TRIPP ADVISOR REVIEW

Defender insists Lions had enough left in tank

- ANDY DUNN

KIERAN TRIPPIER has said fatigue cannot be used as an excuse for England blowing the chance to claim their first trophy in 58 years.

Despite being dropped for the final – his starting place taken by Luke Shaw – Trippier was one of England’s better performers in a campaign that took them to within touching distance of glory, but was hardly easy on the eye.

After the 2-1 loss to Spain, Gareth Southgate claimed he had to deal with various fitness issues throughout the tournament.

But Newcastle defender Trippier refused to suggest that tiredness was a factor in the defeat in the Olympiastadion.

He said: “No. The team that we’ve got is fit. If you see the running stats, I think we’re probably the highest in the whole tournament.

So that’s not an excuse.”

Trippier turns 34 in September and this Euros tournament was almost certainly his last one for the Three Lions.