BBC pundit now thinks £12m Newcastle man is ‘playing the football of his life’ under Eddie Howe

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Newcastle United fans might just be dreaming about a return to European football right now.

Twelve months ago, Newcastle were second-bottom of the Premier League with five points, they now sit third.

Garth Crooks selected one Newcastle star in his team of the week after their 4-1 win over Southampton.

A sign of how far they’ve come under Eddie Howe is that this result wasn’t a surprise in the slightest.

Even when they were only 1-0 up at half-time, the team didn’t panic and put the game to bed with two quick goals after the break.

Howe has got his team playing with an immense amount of confidence.

Not only are they the best defensive team in the league right now, they’ve now got a number of clinical attackers.

Miguel Almiron continues to shine, while even Chris Wood scored his first goal of the season after replacing Callum Wilson at half-time.

However, Crooks wanted to highlight the contribution of Kieran Trippier, and how’s impressed he’s been with the defender.

The £12m right-back recorded another assist for Newcastle’s third goal, and was substituted before Southampton’s consolation goal.

The Saints scored their goal through Romain Perraud who burst down Newcastle’s right-hand side, an unintentional nod to Trippier’s importance.

Crooks was so impressed with Trippier

Trippier lined up as the right centre-back in Crooks’ team of the week as the pundit tried to fit all his selected players into a feasible formation.

Crooks said: “The interception by Trippier followed by the pass for Joe Willock to score Newcastle’s third goal in their win at Southampton rather typified why the right-back must be a serious consideration for Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

“Apart from anything else he’s playing the football of his life and taking Newcastle places not seen since the days Kevin Keegan was in charge.”

Trippier will almost certainly be part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup.

He’s in with a very good shout of being the Three Lions starting right-back too.

Crooks wasn’t alone in thinking Trippier was very impressive against Southampton.

Sky pundit Alan Smith thought Trippier was ‘absolutely brilliant’ yesterday, while Alan Shearer thought he was ‘fantastic’.

He was seen clutching his hamstring in the first-half, but still managed to play 80 minutes.

Newcastle and England fans will be praying that it’s nothing serious.

Southgate has already lost enough full-backs to injury ahead of the tournament.