The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Good news on Gordon, but injury woes persist
FAMILIAR PROBLEMS AHEAD OF CUP CLASH
NEWCASTLE United star Anthony Gordon has had better news on the injury he suffered at Chelsea on Monday night.
Gordon went off with a knee problem at Stamford Bridge in the first half, but The Chronicle understands that the injury is not as bad as first feared.
Head coach Eddie Howe had initially stated that things did not “look good” for Gordon in the immediate aftermath of the clash in the capital against Chelsea.
But Gordon was assessed at the training ground at Benton on Tuesday as the players took part in a recovery session and the news was positive for the 23-year-old.
It remains to be seen whether he is declared fit for the encounter with Manchester City in the sixth round of the FA Cup on Saturday night.
Gordon is due to find out if he is included in the England senior squad for the friendly games against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley when Gareth Southgate names his squad today.
England boss Southgate watched on from the stands at Stamford Bridge and could only share Gordon’s disappointment as he went off in the first half.
Gordon has netted 10 goals and produced seven assists in 39 matches this season for Newcastle and has proved good value after his £40m move from Everton in January 2023.
Despite the positive news on Gordon, Howe is set to face familiar injury problems at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
The Magpies chief is back down to the bare bones in certain positions after another period of key men picking up problems.
With the toughest trip possible handed to Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Howe’s side need all the help they can get this weekend.
Instead, it looks as though the XI picks itself. Should all fit players make it through training sessions this week, it will likely be Martin Dubravka, who has performed well since standing in for Nick Pope despite conceding 12 goals in his last six appearances, between the sticks.
Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn are expected to make up the backline.
There are, for once, options at Howe’s disposal in the middle of the park. Joe Willock’s return to fitness and the starting line-up in recent games has been a huge boost, while Bruno Guimaraes continues his impressive run of avoiding a 10th booking of the campaign and a subsequent two-game domestic ban. Sean Longstaff continues to be given 90 minutes and has kept fellow academy graduate Lewis Miley out of the XI in recent weeks.
Elliot Anderson is slowly edging back to full fitness but is unlikely to be handed a start against Pep Guardiola’s side.
The problems that have plagued Newcastle’s attack so far this season have re-emerged with Gordon and Harvey Barnes both expected to miss the FA Cup showdown. Barnes’ latest setback will likely keep him out until the international break. Callum Wilson remains sidelined again. As such, Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron are expected to be Howe’s go-to trio this weekend.
Looking towards the bench, there is a stark lack of attacking options in waiting to act as back-up to the starting three.
Joe White, who came off the bench at Stamford Bridge on Monday, is cup-tied for the fixture.
Emil Krafth, Matt Targett, Matt Ritchie, Jamaal Lascelles and Loris Karius are all expected to be available to offer their assistance in deeper roles from the bench.