Kieran Trippier is eager to see Sunderland back in the Premier League.
The Newcastle United defender appeared on Jill Scott’s Coffee Club podcast and said ‘it would be good’ if the Tyne-Wear derby was to return in the near future.
It has been over seven years since the two clubs last competed in a derby clash, after the Black Cats were relegated in 2016.
Sunderland remain unbeaten against their fierce rivals in nine games and enjoyed three huge 3-0 victories in between.
Despite Newcastle failing to win in a derby since August 2011, Trippier is eager to compete against the Wearsiders.
Speaking to former Sunderland midfielder Jill Scott, Trippier said: “I was not supporting Sunderland but, for the city, it would be good to have a big derby in the league again.
“When you play your local rivals it is everything. I played in the north London derby and the Madrid derby – they are great games.”
Better a Tyne-Wear derby than Newcastle in the Championship
When it reached the final day of the 2015-16 season and Sunderland were able to stay up and relegate Newcastle United at the same time, I was overjoyed.
There was undoubtedly a special feeling about seeing the Magpies drop down to the Championship. However – unlike many – I wasn’t bothered about seeing them stay down there for longer than a season.
Granted, Sunderland were relegated themselves the following year, so it didn’t really make a difference. But, if we had managed to stay up, then I would have been happy to see the return of the Tyne-Wear derby.
While laughing at each other’s misery is part and parcel of the rivalry, there is nothing more thrilling than having two derbies a season to look forward to.
Spending all these years outside the top flight has been difficult enough, but the one thing I really miss is facing Newcastle – although perhaps that is just because we often got the better of them.