Anthony Gordon goes off with worrying injury in major blow to Newcastle and England
Anthony Gordon has given Eddie Howe a fresh injury headache after he went off injured for Newcastle against Manchester City.
Gordon exited the contest late in the first half and was replaced by Harvey Barnes.
Gordon went down with his hamstring problem four months out from the World CupGetty
As the winger lay on the turf, Gordon appeared to indicate to those around him he had hurt his hamstring.
Speaking after the contest, Magpies boss Howe confirmed the winger had indeed gone off with a hamstring issue.
“We hope he’s going to be okay,” Howe said.
“Obviously, it’s a hamstring problem and it was enough for him to come off. I don’t know the extent of it.”
The timing of Gordon’s injury is also slightly worrisome given the World Cup is only four months away.
With the March international window looming and a swathe of other English stars looking to stake their claim for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s squad, Gordon will hope it is only a minor issue.
Gordon’s departure came with Newcastle down 3-0 on the night in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
City’s three first-half strikes, courtesy of a double from Omar Marmoush and a strike from Tijjani Reijnders, boosted their aggregate lead to 5-0.
Although Anthony Elanga pulled one back for the visitors, it had little bearing on the final result as City prevailed 5-1.
Magpies’ casualty ward gains another
Howe’s side went into Wednesday’s clash heavily depleted, as they were without star midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
Gordon’s race was run earlier than all would have planned forSky Sports
Defensive duo Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento were also absent, while Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar remained sidelined.
Due to the number of defensive absentees, Howe was forced into a re-shuffle at the back as Kieran Trippier, a right-back by trade, was forced to play as a left wing-back.
The lack of midfield options available also meant Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey, who is more of an attacking player rather than a box-to-box or holding option, partnered together in the middle of the park.
Gordon’s injury has also come at an inopportune time given the heavy fixture load on the horizon for Newcastle in February.
Newcastle’s horror February fixtures
Following the Carabao Cup tie against City, the Magpies have a whopping seven further games to play in the space of 21 days.
In a further blow, three of those matches will be at St James’ Park as their games from February 10 to February 21 are away fixtures.
AFPHowe has a number of injuries and a congested February fixture list to contend with[/caption]
Newcastle host Brentford on February 7 before venturing down to London for a match against Tottenham Hotspur three days later.
A FA Cup fourth round tie away to Aston Villa on February 14 is followed by a trip to Azerbaijan where they face Qarabag in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on February 18.
Newcastle then face City at the Etihad on February 21 before hosting Qarabag for the second leg of the tie three days later.
Howe’s side round out February at home against Everton on February 28.
