Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier has revealed what blew him away when he first arrived at the club last January.

The Magpies were sitting in 19th place in the league table at that time.

Manager Eddie Howe had recently been appointed, with Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, and other signings made in January to secure the club's Premier League status.

Trippier told the High Performance Podcast: "The moment I realised we were going to be safe was Southampton away. But to be honest we went on a crazy run.

"The belief (to stay up) came from the manager. The players we signed in January were the right characters which is the most important thing.

"You need to have the right characters in the squad. I am a big believer that you need the right characters on the same page, to pull in the same direction."

Trippier added: "The manager is a great believer in that, the way he wants the club to be run. The way he sets up his teams, you need to have a good dressing room.

"How are people going to handle themselves in the squad when they are not playing? You look at Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak now. They are two on fire strikers. There's no bitterness, no complaining, they are both just ready. If you have that in your team that will take you so far."