EDDIE Howe has outlined the importance of Newcastle United keeping Kieran Trippier amid Galatasaray interest in the full-back.
The Turkish giants are said to have enquired about Trippier and, with their transfer window not closing until February 11, there remains the possibility of an approach for the 34-year-old.
But Howe is desperate to keep Trippier on Tyneside and says the former England international can have a "big impact" in the second half of the season.
Trippier has been limited to just five Premier League starts so far this season, with his campaign disrupted by injury and fitness setbacks. That has allowed Tino Livramento to nail down a starting spot at right-back.
But Trippier highlighted his importance with an outstanding display against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-second leg on Wednesday night.
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Howe said: "No part of us wanted to lose Kieran. He’s had a difficult season and not so much on the pitch.
"He’s had a couple of fitness issues that just halted his progress. He then came back into the team and had a really good couple of performances around Christmas time and showed his qualities again having not played a lot of football.
"To then play and perform in high-level games is a real skill and is not easy to do. He has been able to do that consistently for us.
"He then came in against Arsenal and I thought he was magnificent. Tino Livramento has had a really good season and obviously Emil Krafth can play at right back, so there is real competition for places.
"We love the players we have. But Kieran is unique, there is no-one can do what he can do - set-play delivery, passing ability and his overall leadership in unique. He is someone we definitely see hopefully staying and having a big impact in the second half of the season."
Howe now believes Trippier's fitness and injury issues are behind him, which will result in some difficult defensive decisions for the head coach in the weeks and months ahead.
He said: "If you asked any player they would want to play regularly. I have the difficult decision of picking teams every week.
"I will always try to do that on merit, from what I see in training and games, physically and mentally.
"The issue with Tripps is that he’s picked up a couple of niggly little injuries, a couple of hamstring problems.
"Once you get those injuries, you then have to get back in the routine of getting your fitness back to the level it needs to be to start games. But physically now, for six weeks, Kieran has looked really. That will be key to how he plays in the second half of the season."
