Newcastle United set to unleash £146m trio vs Crystal Palace after four month injury blow

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has challenged Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes to prove they can form a dangerous front three.

The 4-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park last time out was the first time the £146million trio had started in the same attack line.

The signs were promising, with both Isak and Gordon the scoresheet while Barnes was lively, but Howe believes there is still a lot of work to be done.

He told NewcastleWorld: “It was a good start for them, wasn’t it? Three very good individual players, whether they can work in tandem on a regular basis, that remains to be seen and they have to prove that can be the case.

“Trying to find a way they can do that tactically is, of course, what I’m trying to deliver for the group. It isn’t always as easy as you’d think it is because each player has to be comfortable in his position, has to be delivered in a way they can play at their best levels and they are psychologically happy to play in that role.

“The signs were good against Tottenham but of course every game is very different.”

Barnes’ absence between September and February with a foot injury is the main reason why Howe had to wait 31 Premier League games before unleashing the trio.

Gordon has starred for Newcastle on the left-hand side of the attack this campaign but the introduction of Barnes versus Spurs saw the former Everton winger switch sides. It didn’t at all impact the 23-year-old with the 23-year-old putting in an equally impressive display with a goal and two assists.

Asked if part of thinking for signing Barnes was to play Gordon on the right more often, Howe replied: “Part and parcel of that signing was just to look at the strength of the player and think he can add depth and strength in that position. We were going into a season where we knew we had loads of games and we needed that strength.

“Harvey’s goals were also a huge factor behind the signing because you look purely at his numbers and they were incredible last year in a team that had a difficult season. And I think already he has proved in certain moments that those numbers will stay with us, he will score goals if fit and play enough minutes.

“Now unfortunately for us we’ve been without Harvey for a long period of the season and that’s certainly dented our ability to rotate the team but also we missed a quality player.”

Isak, Gordon and Barnes are set to get another opportunity to impress when they visit Crystal Palace on Wednesday.