Four Newcastle United players that must start v Man City
Newcastle United injury latest ahead of the Premier League clash at home to Manchester City.
Gordon had been feeling some discomfort in his hip for some weeks before being forced to withdraw in the first-half of the Champions League win over Athletic Club.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described the issue as “minor” but it was enough to keep him out of the defeat to Brentford and England matches against Serbia and Albania.
Newcastle United star ‘touch & go’ for Man City game
Ahead of the Man City clash, Howe says a late decision will be made on the winger, who joined from Everton for £45million in January 2022.
Howe said: “Anthony's very close. He's worked well during the break. He'll be touch and go for the game. We'll make a very late decision on him.”
Two Newcastle United strikers ruled out v Man City - but there’s a triple injury boost
Newcastle remain without Yoane Wissa (knee) and Will Osula (ankle), which continues to leave £69million club-record Nick Woltemade as the only available senior striker. But in other areas of the pitch, Howe’s side are set to be boosted Joelinton, Nick Pope and Tino Livramento availability.
Joelinton took a heavy blow to the leg that forced him off in the first-half at Brentford, while Pope was withdrawn with a concussion and has been passed fit after the 12-day protocol. Livramento, meanwhile, is back after around two months out with a knee injury.
Howe said: “Tino’s trained this international break, which has been great to see. He's such an important player for us. Great to have him back. Training with the group, he's shown his qualities. He's been out a while and his injury was serious enough to make sure we treat him well. But I'd say he's done a lot of work.
“He's been very, very good professionally in terms of how he's dealt with the injury and the work that he's done with the physios, so I'd say he's in pretty good shape.
“He's an outstanding player and he's got the athletic qualities and the technical qualities, as you say, off both sides of the pitch that we've missed. So together with Lewis, coming back to fitness, they're two really young, energetic players that I think can add a lot to the team.
“I'm really pleased to have both players potentially available.”
Eddie Howe looks ahead to Newcastle United v Man City clash
Newcastle head into the game on the back of consecutive away defeats at West Ham United and Brentford, leaving them 14th in the Premier League just two points above the relegation zone.
“We know Manchester City's qualities,” Howe said. “But I get your point. I think we want a raucous St James' Park. The home support this season has been incredible. I think we've played well at home as well. We're looking forward to the match.
“We have a lot to prove to ourselves after the last couple of away games in the Premier League, which have been really disappointing. So we're desperately keen to try and put that right and get our Premier League form back on track.”
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