Newcastle United are without Anthony Gordon for their final Premier League fixture of the season away to Brentford.
Gordon hadn’t missed a game through injury this season, with only suspension ruling him out against West Ham United in October and Everton last month. However, an ankle injury picked up against Manchester United in midweek following a challenge from Sofyan Amrabat has ruled him out versus the Bees.
Speaking about Gordon on Friday, United boss Eddie Howe said: “We’ll wait and see yeah. I’m not 100% sure as I sit here how he is. We’ll see how he is today. But yeah, certainly that tackle left a mark on him.”
In the 23-year-old’s absence, Howe has selected Harvey Barnes. The former Leicester City winger is one of four changes Howe has made to his starting line-up.
In goal, Nick Pope makes his first start since dislocating his shoulder in December. Joelinton also starts for the first time since the 3-0 win at Sunderland in the FA Cup on January 6.
Asked about the possibility of recalling the pair, Howe said: “Possibly. All options are open to us. With those players we’ve had to make the right decisions, not just for them but for the team.
“There will be a next season for us and what we didn’t want to do was bring in a player, rush him back from injury and lose him again for six months. We have tried to look after the players and introduce them when they’re ready.”
The other change sees Fabian Schar come in for Kieran Trippier.
Newcastle must beat Brentford and hope Chelsea lose at home AFC Bournemouth in order for them to finish sixth and guarantee European qualification. To finish seventh, United must at least equal Manchester United’s result away to Brighton & Hove Albion.
A seventh-place finish would be enough for Europa Conference League qualification should Manchester United lose the FA Cup final to Manchester City later this month.
Here’s Newcastle United starting XI and subs in full: