Newcastle United set to be without £105m duo v Nottingham Forest - ‘slightly unclear’ return date

Newcastle United are set be without Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak for Saturday night’s Premier League clash away to Nottingham Forest (kick-off 5:30pm). 

Gordon withdrew at half-time against Luton Town last week and was pictured leaving St James’ Park on crutches and wearing a protective boot. 

The 22-year-old hasn’t trained in the build up to Forest, and while the injury isn’t thought to be serious, Magpies’ head coach Eddie Howe admits Gordon’s return date “slightly unclear”. 

Howe told reporters: “He hasn’t trained this week. We don’t think the injury is serious. We’re hopeful he’ll be back sooner rather than later."

Asked if he knew when Gordon would return to training, Howe replied: "Not at this moment, slightly unclear."

Meanwhile, Howe ruled Isak out of the visit to the City Ground after the Swede missed the Luton clash with a groin problem. Howe says there is “no fixed return date”. 

No Alex won’t make this game," said Howe. "We hope he won’t be too far away for the following games. But he doesn’t have a fixed return date yet but he’s making good progress, the injury isn’t as serious as first feared."

Newcastle remain without Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson, although the pair are closest players to returning.

“They’re doing well at this moment in time," said Howe. "Joe hasn’t trained with the group yet but is working really hard with the sports science team. He’s in the final stage of his rehab and we hope he can be back pretty soon.

"Elliot is not far away either. He had good news on his scan a while ago and he’s now really stepped up his running. Both players are getting closer.”