Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad announcement may be facing an instant rewrite due to Anthony Gordon.
The Newcastle winger was named again for World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, there was a hitch as soon as the team was read out.
Gordon went off in the Champions League and could face a spell on the sidelines
4
Gordon went off in the Champions League and could face a spell on the sidelinesCredit: Getty
Martin Keown reacts to Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad!
As the squad was announced, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe held his own press conference and provided an update on Gordon following his forced substitution against Athletic Bilbao midweek.
“We don’t think it is a serious injury but we are getting him scanned and waiting on the result,” Howe said during his preview of the weekend’s trip to Brentford.
"I think there is every chance he might miss our game on Sunday but we will give him every opportunity to be fit."
Club vs country disputes are nothing new when it comes to injured players being called up, but right now Howe doesn’t have any concerns.
read more england news
"I feel relaxed about him being with England,” he continued.
"It will all be done with England’s blessing in terms of whether he is fit or not fit. We will work together to find the best solutions for Anthony."
Gordon only played 40 minutes in a 2-0 home win over Athletic before having to leave the pitch with an injury.
He walked off on his own accord, but required some treatment from a club medic.
Gordon finding his England feet under Tuchel
The 24-year-old forward has been a Three Lions regular since Tuchel was named England manager at the start of the year, featuring in seven out of eight games.
Overall Gordon has 16 caps for his country, scoring twice, with his most recent last time out in a 5-0 win over Latvia.
Gordon found the net against Latvia and earned himself even more Tuchel praise
4
Gordon found the net against Latvia and earned himself even more Tuchel praiseCredit: Getty
Only two players have made more appearances for Tuchel's England
4
Only two players have made more appearances for Tuchel's England
That victory saw England qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the Americas with two games to spare.
Tuchel has so far taken an interesting approach to his England squads and line-ups, trusting players who have performed well for him rather than going on names and past showings.
Former Everton man Gordon has been one of those to benefit from such a strategy, and Tuchel has explained why he is such a fan.
The German also echoed Howe's comments on Gordon's fitness.
Tuchel said: "He gives intensity, hunger and physical input that is very rare to find and helps us a lot to build a team identity that we need. He puts the effort in and he is relentless.
"We are aware he has been subbed twice for minor issues. We are in close contact with the Newcastle medical staff on a very trustful and professional level.
Read More on talkSPORT
Tuchel addressed fitness concerns over Gordon in his press conference
4
Tuchel addressed fitness concerns over Gordon in his press conferenceCredit: AFP
"We decided to call him up and my last information is that we have a chance he will come to the camp and we will take care of him.
"We will not take any unnecessary risk. Players' health is always first."