Key keywords: Kieran Trippier, Newcastle United, Magpies, West Ham United, Hammers, 2023/24 Premier League, final home game, St James' Park, Eddie Howe, European football qualification Newcastle United have officially confirmed their starting line-up for the club’s final 2023/24 Premier League home fixture against West Ham United at St James’ Park, with fan favourite and first-team captain Kieran Trippier named in the starting XI, ending weeks of speculation over his fitness following a minor groin injury he sustained during the Magpies’ away clash against Arsenal two weeks prior. Eddie Howe’s decision to include Trippier in the starting line-up comes as a massive boost for the Magpies, who are currently locked in a tight battle for European football qualification ahead of the end of the season. Sitting sixth in the Premier League table ahead of kick-off, Newcastle need a minimum of three points from their final two fixtures to secure a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa League, with a win against West Ham potentially lifting them to fifth place if results elsewhere go their way. Trippier, who has registered 11 assists across all competitions for Newcastle this season, has been the club’s most consistent creative outlet from the right flank, with his trademark set-piece deliveries and overlapping runs contributing to nearly 30% of the team’s goals in the 2023/24 campaign. His leadership on the pitch has also been cited as a key factor behind the Magpies’ impressive home form this season, with the side losing just two of their 18 previous home fixtures at St James’ Park ahead of the West Ham clash. Fans and pundits alike have noted that Trippier’s presence also lifts the performance of his teammates, with winger Miguel Almiron and striker Alexander Isak both scoring more goals when playing alongside the England international on the right side. For West Ham, also known as the Hammers, the fixture carries equal weight, as David Moyes’ side sit just one point behind Newcastle in seventh place, with a win potentially moving them into the European qualification spots as well. The Hammers will be well aware of Trippier’s threat, having conceded two goals from his set pieces during the reverse fixture at the London Stadium earlier this season. The confirmation of Trippier’s start has been met with widespread excitement from Newcastle supporters, who have sold out St James’ Park for the final home game of the season, with pre-match tributes planned for the squad regardless of the result.