'Best of career' - Newcastle United star set for fresh England role after 'snubbing' Eddie Howe

Euro 2024 was bittersweet for Anthony Gordon. A proud patriot, the Newcastle United winger declared playing for England as “his biggest goal” in football before earning a maiden call-up earlier this year.

He did that for just four minutes in Germany - despite fan protestations - as the Three Lions suffered cup-final heartbreak against Spain. Gordon cutting a forlorn figure alongside Cole Palmer will be a lasting memory of the Euros for many Toon supporters who pleaded with Gareth Southgate to unleash the ferocious wideman.

The summer hangover has crept into Newcastle’s season, with Gordon looking far from his marauding best in the opening three Premier League fixtures. Eddie Howe admitted the 23-year-old is not fully up to speed following the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. 

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But under Lee Carsley - at least for now - Gordon has a clean slate. In truth, the tables have flipped, with the Toon ace now being the one boasting credit in the bank with the manager.

Gordon was Carsley’s star attraction last summer - outshining Chelsea talisman Palmer - to earn Player of the Tournament as the under-21s won the Euros. During the competition, the winger called now England interim boss Carsley the “best man manager” of his career.

Deployed as a No.9 in a fluid 4-4-2, Gordon could now find himself running the system back in the upcoming double-header against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Carsley praised the “options” at his disposal while on under-21s duty last year.

"I see that we’ve got a lot of players within this squad that can do different roles,” he said. “Part of the squad selection was having that flexibility to play with a different kind of nine (striker).

"I see pretty much any of the forward players, whether they’re wide players or forwards, being able to do that nine. You get a different type of nine with Anthony than you would with Cole (Palmer), Curtis (Jones) or Emile (Smith Rowe). We’ve got plenty of options.”

With Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham unavailable, as well as Jack Grealish returning to the squad, trusted disciple Gordon looks set for a starring role. A roller-coaster first six months in international football should give him heightened hunger to make an impact under a man he knows well.