FA Youth Cup winner Trippier switched from right-back to midfield for the thumping 4-1 midweek victory over Everton that Hodges hopes will be a marker for his bright young men.
Hughes keeps close tabs on his reserve players’ progress and shared Hodges’ delight at the manner of a consummate opening home victory on the big stage of City of Manchester Stadium.
Trippier, tipped to follow Vladi Weiss into the first-team reckoning, said: “There’s a great team spirit right through to the bench and we’ve got the players to do well this season.
“We all want to train with the first team and play for the first team, but first we’ve got to play to the best of our ability in this team to catch the manager’s eye as soon as possible.”
City’s goals came not only from in-form striker David Ball but also both full backs Greg Cunningham and Javan Vidal, who slotted in behind Trippier in his new advanced role.
Kieran said: “Give Bally any opportunity around the box and he’ll score goals for fun. Both full-backs were bombing on, they’re quality, talented footballers.
“It’s a great surface in the Stadium, we can zip the ball around and play at a good, fast tempo as we like to do, so it’s good to watch as well.
“There’s a lot of running to do as a right winger, defending as well as attacking. But I love getting forward, and I’ll play anywhere as long as I get a shirt.”
Tripper and his team-mates will also enjoy the Stadium’s superior pitch for their next home game against Liverpool in the Premier Reserve League North on September 29.
