- Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe speaks on Anthony Gordon absence
- Confirmation of hip injury
- Suspicious timing amid transfer speculation
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe insisted that Anthony Gordon’s absence from the squad in the Magpies’ 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth was due to a hip injury rather than anything related to the speculation about his future.
The winger wasn’t even on the bench at St James’ Park amid a swirling rumour mill linking him to a transfer to Bayern Munich this summer.
Liverpool and Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Gordon, who is said to be keen on a move away from Newcastle this summer and feels he has outgrown the club.
Howe speaks on Gordon injury
Speaking in his press conference, Howe said: “He missed training. I’m just trying to get my days right. I think Thursday and Friday had a problem he picked up on Wednesday. We knew he wasn’t going to be ready.”
Gordon is one of the most prominent figures linked with a move away.
Newcastle are said to understand they may need to sanction the departures of a couple of big names in the transfer window, especially with no Champions League football to sweeten the deal.
Howe was also asked about comments that Gordon is not committed to the cause and that this is the reason for his absence rather than injury. Howe responded: “This was an injury; he went for a scan on Thursday morning, and it was clear he had an injury that would take him out.”
Newcastle also faced another blow during the game as Tino Livramento came off with a groin injury that looks as if it could spell the end of his season.
Gordon exit looming
Despite Howe’s insistence it was purely an injury that kept Gordon out, it is difficult to fully believe given all the mentioned speculation.
Howe has a history of removing players from the firing line when this sort of thing occurs, so it does feel as if there may be more to the absence than meets the eye.
Bayern Munich reportedly have Gordon as their top target to challenge Luis Díaz in that left wing spot and are likely to make the rumours concrete at some point this summer.
Gordon is said to want his future sorted by the time the World Cup comes around in June. The England hopeful is ready to move on from Tyneside and could favour a move to the Bundesliga, especially considering his adoration for international teammate Harry Kane.
In other news, ‘He’s On Fire’: Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon loves Bayern Munich player.
