Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has suggested that Eddie Howe could make a surprise call regarding Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade as Newcastle United face Barcelona in the Champions League.
Gordon is free to play for Newcastle United against Barcelona, with his three-match suspension for his red card against Liverpool last month only applying to domestic competition.
The England international could come back into the Newcastle United squad for the visit of Barcelona, who will be without star player Lamine Yamal.
In the absence of a striker, Gordon was playing up front for Newcastle during the early part of the campaign. Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, however, are now through the door.
Though Wissa will be injured for the foreseeable future, Woltemade scored on his debut against Wolves and fans will no doubt be hoping to see him start again against Barca.
Downie, however, has a different theory.
Anthony Gordon in Newcastle United training.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Anthony Gordon tipped to start instead of Nick Woltemade for Newcastle United vs Barcelona
The reporter was speaking on a video posted in the build-up to Newcastle’s meeting with Barcelona.
He suggested that Woltemade – who complained of suffering from a cramp before going off against Wolves – may not yet be in a position to play three games in a week.
With Gordon suspended for Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth, Downie suggested that in his opinion, he could start up front instead of Woltemade against Barca.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“I would not be surprised if I saw Gordon start through the middle,” he said.
“The reason I say that is that Newcastle play Bournemouth away on Sunday and I don’t think Woltemade can play three matches in eight days.
“He told me on Saturday after the win against Wolves, where of course he scored the winner, that he was cramping up after about 55 minutes to an hour.
“So I don’t think he’s fully fit to play 90 minutes, certainly not to play three games in the space of eight days.”
What Eddie Howe has said about Anthony Gordon ahead of Barcelona clash
Whether it’s in place of Woltemade or not, it seems very likely that Gordon will start for Newcastle against the Catalan giants.
Fellow left winger Harvey Barnes is not in brilliant form, so could well drop out of the team in place of the former Everton winger.
Ahead of the game, Howe was talking up just what an important season this is in Gordon’s career – with a World Cup to come at the end of it.
“Anthony’s good,” said the Newcastle United manager.
Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon:
"He’s good. He’s in my thoughts for tomorrow. He’s an outstanding player and you can’t have enough of those. We'll look to utilise him. Whether we think that's from the start of the game let's wait and see. He brings a pace and directness to our… pic.twitter.com/i8cvBJDXzw
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) September 17, 2025
View Tweet
“He’s in my thoughts. He’s an outstanding player and you can’t have enough of those. We’ll look to utilise him.
“Whether we think that’s from the start of the game, let’s wait and see. He brings a pace and directness to our forward line which you always need. It’s an important season for him in his career and we’re looking forward to helping him reach his very highest levels.”