Anthony Gordon is only fit enough for the bench as Newcastle United play Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Gordon has been dealing with an ankle injury in recent weeks but that isn’t thought to be keeping him out of Eddie Howe’s starting lineup for Tuesday’s huge Champions League game.
According to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, the England international has been feeling ill in recent days, meaning he must make do with a bench role.
It’s time to have an honest conversation on Sandro Tonali….
Is Sandro Tonali just fatigued or is he being played in the wrong position? Seems like we recently had success playing him in the deeper role!
Indeed, it’s a major blow ahead of Newcastle United versus Barcelona, and it places a lot of pressure on William Osula.
Osula is selected ahead of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to start up front alongside Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes, in what is a damning reflection on the two big-name summer signings.
Osula scored the winner against Manchester United in a dramatic Premier League game earlier this month but is much less experienced than the two players the club signed for big money to replace Alexander Isak only a few months ago.
Newcastle United’s confirmed team to play Barcelona amid Gordon illness
Aside from the Gordon surprise, the Newcastle team largely flows as expected.
It’s a major blow because Gordon has been one of the best players in the Champions League this season.
Jacob Ramsey comes back into midfield following the suspension he was forced to sit through during the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City after his red card for two bookable offences against Manchester United.
Convince me otherwise: Eddie Howe gave me my greatest day as a Newcastle fan but he has taken us as far as he can
DISCLAIMER: It's not all his fault, chaos behind the scenes and PSR does not help 😡
The back four offers little surprise, with Tino Livramento not fit enough to start yet. The vastly experienced Dan Burn comes in to partner Malick Thiaw ahead of Sven Botman.
Newcastle United XI vs Barcelona: Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Ramsey, Joelinton; Elanga, Osula, Barnes
Subs: Pope, Ruddy, Harris, Botman, Wissa, Gordon, Livramento, J. Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, A. Murphy, Neave
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