Anthony Gordon has spoken out against comments made by Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer about his absence against Barcelona.
The Newcastle winger didn't start in their Champions League last 16 meeting with Barca on Tuesday due to illness.
Anthony Gordon playing for Newcastle
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Gordon didn't start Newcastle's first leg against Barca due to illness last weekCredit: Getty
He is the second top scorer in the Champions League this season, but the 10-goal forward only managed to feature for 23 minutes.
Eddie Howe's side went on to draw 1-1 in the first leg of the tie, with questions being raised over Gordon's bench appearance.
Newcastle legend Shearer said on the situation: "Maybe I’m old school, but if you’re fit enough to train in the morning, and I know he doesn’t feel well, but this is Barcelona at Newcastle for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
“It would take something extraordinary to keep myself out of this game tonight.”
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Meanwhile, Manchester United icon Rooney, who was working as a pundit on the night, questioned: “He walked past us before the game and wouldn’t shake our hands.
“He said he didn’t want us to catch anything, but then he’s going into the dressing room with his teammates.”
'Absolute nonsense'
These comments appear to have enraged Gordon, who felt he had to speak out against them and defend himself on Saturday.
The 25-year-old told Match of the Day after he started and scored in Newcastle's win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge: "Usually I don't like to clear stuff up because I don't care too much. But this one does need clearing up because it was just nonsense."
He continued: "When I got to the stadium, the manager told me I wasn't playing, which I didn't like very much, but that's his decision and the team played well.
"Saying I didn't want to play in the biggest game of my career is absolute nonsense.
Anthony Gordon arriving at Stamford Bridge
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The winger has raged at Rooney and Shearer's comments about himCredit: Getty
"I think Rooney said I went past and didn't shake their hands and went into the changing room. I didn't.
"I got changed by myself in a changing room the size of this. It was just me and a sink. Complete nonsense.
"I think they need to do better at what they are doing."
Gordon in fine form
Gordon has hit back at Rooney and Shearer for their comments amid the best scoring season of his career.
He may not have played the whole game against Barcelona, but his 10 Champions League goals are the most ever by a Newcastle player.
The England international also has another five goals in the Premier League and one more in the FA Cup this term
Anthony Gordon scores for Newcastle against Chelsea
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Gordon is having a season to remember, netting against Chelsea on SaturdayCredit: Getty
It means he has 16 goals in all competitions, alongside five assists, meaning he's had a hand in 21 goals in 43 games.
That's his most ever contributions so far in his career, while he's already scored four more than his previous best.
And after a strike against Chelsea, Gordon seems to be back fighting fit to please Rooney and Shearer to play against Barca this week.
He'll likely be starting in Spain as Newcastle look to try and win the second leg and pull off a historic result.
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