The official reason why Anthony Gordon misses Newcastle United's trip to Chelsea

Eddie Howe has made two changes from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion with Miguel Almiron and Harvey Barnes coming in for Jacob Murphy and Gordon.

Murphy drops to the bench but Gordon isn’t in the squad, despite being videoed at Stamford Bridge (see below). The England international is absent because of a groin issue, the club says.

The 23-year-old has started each of United’s opening eight league fixtures, finding the net twice in draws against AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City.

The Magpies face Enzo Maresca's men at Stamford Bridge looking to end a run of four Premier League games without a win. Howe’s side also haven’t scored a goal in open play for almost seven hours of football when Barnes netted a consolation at Fulham on September 21.

Nick Pope starts in goal with former Chelsea youngsters Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall at right and left back respectively. Fabian Schar and Dan Burn continue at centre-back.

Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton line up in midfield with Almirón and Barnes providing support from the flanks for Alexander Isak, who is without a goal since the 2-1 win versus Tottenham Hotspur in August.

Murphy and Will Osula are the attacking reinforcements among the substitutes while midfielders Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Lewis Miley are also named. Defenders Emil Krafth and Lloyd Kelly are also on the bench, along with goalkeepers John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos.

NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Hall, Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Almiron, Barnes, Isak. SUBS: Vlachodimos, Ruddy, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.