Eddie Howe confirmed that the substitution against West Ham was due to injury.placeholder image
Eddie Howe confirmed that the substitution against West Ham was due to injury. | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United travel to Brentford next weekend looking to bounce back from defeat to West Ham.
Brentford have been handed a potential boost as they prepare to take on Newcastle United next weekend with the Tyneside outfit sweating over a potential injury to winger Anthony Gordon.
The England international was withdrawn at half time at the London Stadium, shortly after Newcastle United had seen a 1-0 lead evaporate. The Magpies went in at the break 2-1 down with manager Eddie Howe making three changes before the second half.
Gordon was taken off alongside Emil Krafth and Nick Woltemade with Jacob Ramsey, Fabian Schar and William Osula coming on. Speaking after the match, Howe confirmed that while two of those changes were tactical, the Gordon sub was enforced.
Eddie Howe confirmed Newcastle United injury worry
He said: “I just felt the feel of the team was wrong and needed to try and get some energy on the pitch. We were lacking in physicality today.
“Anthony was feeling his hip slightly. There were some tactical changes there as well to try and get a different feeling on the pitch.”
Any period of absence for Gordon would be a blow to Newcastle United. The 24-year-old has started every Premier League fixture this season when available, missing just three matches due to suspension following a red card in the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
The Magpies’ form on the road has been poor this season with no victory away from St James’ Park yet. Next up, following midweek action in the Champions League against Athletic Bilbao, is a trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Brentford.
Keith Andrews’ side are looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace this weekend and, on top of Newcastle United’s struggles on the road, a potential absence of Gordon would be a boost.
Brentford looked to bounce back after Crystal Palace defeat
Brentford also have the benefit of no midweek action this week as they focus on preparing for the fixture against the Magpies on Sunday. Speaking after the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, Andrews rued a lack of conviction in his side’s performance.
He said: "It was a game of very few chances. The first goal was a set-piece where they get first contact and second contact, so we’re clearly not going to be happy with that as we set the bar very high with set-pieces.
"We didn’t hit the heights that we have in recent weeks individually and collectively, but you have to factor in the opposition and how they tried to stifle the game. We huffed and puffed a little bit, and didn’t really have that real conviction to our play."
In other news, West Ham leave Alan Shearer fuming with 17-word Newcastle United message.
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