Kieran Trippier identifies key sign in Newcastle United camp despite heavy defeat at Man City

Kieran Trippier believes that the sight of Newcastle United players leaving the Etihad Stadium with deeply disappointed expressions is still a good sign for the future.

Understandably, some players were in no mood to discuss the 5-0 defeat at the hands of the champions but Trippier, despite only being on board for five months, is witnessing some good indicators for the future. With the emphasis now turning towards next season and a clean slate for the Magpies, Trippier is still excited about the next step.

When asked his views on some of the players' dejected body language, Trippier told Chronicle Live: "It is (a good sign), you lads (local reporters in mixed zone) have been here longer than me but you see the way results were going before Christmas, it wasn't going too well.

"It just shows signs of players developing, showing a winning mentality. The lads are disappointed, we've just been beaten by one of the best teams in the world and we're coming off frustrated which just shows the steps the club and the team have taken."

Trippier came on for the final half hour at the Etihad Stadium and knows the result was far from ideal to make a comeback from a foot injury. But the big positive was that the England full-back got through unscathed and is ready for the Arsenal game next Monday night.

The former Atletico Madrid title winner said: "It has been a long three months, obviously, people don't see the work that injured players put in. "Certainly Cal (Wilson), who deserves huge credit for the set-backs he's had and how he's bounced back from them.

"It's been hard but when you're injured you just need to support your team-mates on the pitch and we've done that and the lads have been unbelievable without us. "We hope we can