Eddie Howe is sweating on the fitness of one of his most important players as Newcastle United prepare to take on Fulham on Saturday.
The Magpies need to bounce back after their emotionally draining Champions League exit on Wednesday, as they lost 2-1 to AC Milan.
Not only did they lose their European status, they may have lost another player to injury as well.
Anthony Gordon was spectacular against AC Milan, but had to come off midway through the second half. It seemed like a strange substitution at the time, but Eddie Howe later confirmed that the 22-year-old had a hamstring problem.
Now the Newcastle United manager has provided an update on Gordon, and it is unclear whether or not he will be available to face Fulham on Saturday.
Eddie Howe unsure if Anthony Gordon will face Fulham
Ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Fulham, Howe spoke to the media and provided a fitness update on his players.
“It is mixed,” he said.
“We are getting a couple of players back but not in their best physical condition. Then you’ve got players that are having to keep playing that are picking up things.
“Kieran [Trippier] is missing through suspension. We will see how Anthony [Gordon] is today.”
Newcastle might be wise to rest Gordon regardless
It appears that Newcastle are still waiting to see whether or not Gordon is going to be fit enough to face Fulham.
While every game is important, it might be best for the Magpies to err on the side of caution with this one.
Gordon has been arguably our best player this season, and it would be a disaster if he was to be out of action for an extended period of time.
That is why Howe should consider resting him no matter what this weekend, especially with the Carabao Cup quarter final against Chelsea on Tuesday. We desperately need Gordon for that game at Stamford Bridge.
Even if the former Everton man is good to go on Saturday, it might be wise to start him on the bench.
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