Newcastle United drop Anthony Gordon hint ahead of West Ham United clash

Anthony Gordon could make his Newcastle United debut against West Ham United on Saturday, while Harrison Ashby is set to be included in the matchday squad.

Both January signings were presented to the St James’ Park crowd on Tuesday prior to the Carabao Cup semi-final win against Southampton.

And having watched the Magpies reach their first domestic final in 24 years from the stands, Gordon and Ashby are ready to take their place on the substitutes bench for the visit of David Moyes’ side.

“Both players will be available, yes,” said United head coach Eddie Howe. “They’ve trained well.

“They’ve done a couple of individual training sessions around the game because they weren’t eligible to play. They trained with the group yesterday, although it was a small group, so they haven’t actually trained fully with team but both are fit and fine.”

While Howe suggested in midweek that 21-year-old Ashby is more of a player for the future, Gordon is very much for the now after United paid £45million to sign him from Everton.

The forward has already received a warm welcome from the United fanbase after chants of “Oh Anthony Gordon” were heard coming from the Strawberry Corner on Tuesday.

With that level of support, Howe has tipped Gordon to thrive in a Newcastle shirt.

Howe said: “He’s thrived in that environment, and I think he’ll thrive in this environment with the positivity and the brilliant response.

“I didn’t hear it, I was busy doing my team-talk, but I heard about the brilliant reception from our supporters. He’s going to need that after a difficult few months for him.

“For him to feel good again and that release of pressure will be really positive for us.”