Eddie Howe believes Anthony Gordon’s injury may not be as bad as it was initially feared, just like the Newcastle forward’s agent before the Premier League opener.
Anthony Gordon was late in Newcastle’s preseason loss to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, and Eddie Howe sweated his fitness in the Premier League opening game just a week away.
The magpie heads to Aston Villa. Aston Villas could be some of the toughest competition in Europe and hope that their forwards will be available. Gordon played as the central striker Alexander Isaac still lacks in the first team.
However, although injuries at the latter stages have driven him out, Howe believes the problem may not be as bad as it was initially feared. That comes as a relief as Gordon may have to lead the line at Villa Park.
The Newcastle boss said: “I think he’s fine. I think he has an ankle issue. You might have thought it was a muscle issue at first, but the good news is that I think it’s just a twist.
“The last thing we want to do last week is the type of injury for any player. We have a finger crossed.”
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With the conflict next Saturday, Antony Elanga will give him the opportunity to make a competitive debut for his new club, following a £55 million move from Nottingham Forest. He is the club’s summer signature and hopes to build on his impressive campaign last time. The Winger won the suspension time winner from the villa when he competed against last term.
Newcastle is currently relying on ISAK to lead their line and is unable to provide a Swedes and goal threat outside the team at the moment. He is deeply connected to his move to Liverpool, but the club informed him that he would not go anywhere – he wasn’t doing well.
Isak has not been featured in the preseason after missing out on a tour of Asia. Howe confesses that he cannot include strikers considering the current situation, and he will not play for Newcastle until the player accepts the decision.
He states: “We discussed it, but it is clear that at this point we cannot get him into the group. I don’t know how long that will last, but that’s up to date.
“I want Alex to play today. I want him to train tomorrow. I want the players to be with us. Let’s make that absolutely clear. There’s no part of me that I don’t want that outcome, but the current situation at Aston Villa hasn’t changed.”
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