Eddie Howe slams Anthony Gordon question during Newcastle United press conference - Arsenal take note
Newcastle United injuries: Eddie Howe once again shut down any conspiracy theories regarding Anthony Gordon’s injury.
Anthony Gordon will miss Newcastle United’s Premier League trip to Arsenal this Saturday due to a hip injury.
That’s what head coach Eddie Howe insists is ‘100%’ the case despite conspiracy theories questioning Gordon’s commitment ahead of the World Cup with England and a potential summer move.
Arsenal just so happen to be one of the clubs reportedly interested in the 25-year-old winger, who has scored 17 goals in all competitions for Newcastle this season.
Anthony Gordon injury
Gordon missed the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend due to the injury and remains out this weekend. But he is expected to return before the end of the season.
“Yeah, I think he won't make the game,” Howe said on Gordon ahead of Arsenal. “He hasn't trained this week. Again, not a serious injury, but not in time for this game. Hopefully, for the next game.”
Newcastle host Brighton & Hove Albion following the Arsenal match as they look to recover from a poor run of form that has seen them drop to 14th in the table. Howe’s side can’t drop lower due to Leeds United been in FA Cup action this weekend but could climb as high as 12th with a surprise win at the Emirates Stadium.
Along with Gordon, Tino Livramento will also miss the match due to a thigh injury and is a doubt to feature again this season.
But, in reference to Gordon, Howe was later asked if players were ‘picking and choosing’ games to be involved in.
And that prompted a blunt but clear response from the Newcastle boss.
No Alexander Isak 2.0
“Anthony Gordon is injured,” he said. “100%, so it's a non-question [about his commitment]."
The scars from Alexander Isak’s departure, in which Howe claimed the striker was injured in pre-season before it became clear he had actually requested to leave the club, are still evident.
But it’s unclear exactly what the future holds for Gordon with his future likely to be assessed after the World Cup this summer.