Eddie Howe has issued a positive update on the likes of Anthony Gordon ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Barcelona.
Gordon has been one of the best players in the Champions League and has fired Newcastle United further than they have ever been in this competition.
The England international has scored ten goals for Howe’s side this season, with only Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe (13) scoring more thus far.
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Gordon, however, was nursing a slight ankle injury and started Newcastle’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester City on Saturday on the bench.
Speaking ahead of the Barcelona game at St James’ Park on Tuesday, Howe said during his pre-match press conference: “No fresh injuries but we have a little bit of illness in the camp. Hopefully we will have everyone available tomorrow.”
Gordon scored Newcastle’s goal in their 2-1 defeat to Barca in the league phase of the competition at St James’ Park back in September.
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Gordon trains in full before Newcastle vs Barcelona as Howe confirms team news
Thankfully for Newcastle, Gordon was pictured in full training on Monday afternoon ahead of the game.
With neither Nick Woltemade nor Yoane Wissa impressing this season, it seems very likely that the 24-year-old will start as a striker.
While Gordon has been brilliant in the Champions League this season, Tuesday’s game will be his toughest yet.
In another boost for Newcastle, all of Joelinton, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy trained ahead of the Barca game, too.
Murphy sat on the bench against City due to a neck strain, while Burn and Joelinton only played small parts as Howe looked to manage their minutes.
Tino Livramento also trained as normal after making his return from injury during the City clash.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi is a doubt for the Newcastle match, with the Catalan giants confirming he had not been given medical clearance to play when they landed in the UK from Spain.
Isaac Moran, a 16-year-old defender signed from Liverpool last summer, also trained with the Newcastle first team but cannot play because he was not named in Newcastle’s squad for the Champions League.
Moran also doesn’t qualify for the ‘List B’ options which allow players under 22 to feature in a match day squad because he has not trained uninterrupted with Newcastle for two years.
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