Harvey Barnes is in-line for an opportunity to impress at Newcastle United.
Harvey Barnes is in-line for an opportunity to impress at Newcastle United.
Newcastle United's decision not to appeal Anthony Gordon's red card is set to hand Harvey Barnes a chance to shine ahead of this month's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Barnes, 27, joined the Magpies from Leicester City for £35million in July 2023 and has endured rotten luck with injuries during his time at St James' Park. The one-cap England international missed a large chunk of last season with a foot problem and sat out of six matches at the start of 2025 with a hamstring issue.
Now fit and available, Barnes is expected to be given an opportunity to step into the limelight and fill the gaping hole left by Gordon on the Newcastle left-hand side. Gordon is to miss the next three matches, including the final against Liverpool, after he was sent off against Brighton on Sunday.
Eddie Howe hinted Newcastle might appeal the decision to give Gordon a red card for a push on the back of Jan Paul van Hecke's head, but the club have since decided against doing that. It means that Gordon will miss Premier League fixtures against West Ham and Brentford, as well as the Carabao Cup final.
Joelinton or Joe Willock could feasibly play out on the left flank Gordon's absence, but Barnes is the like-for-like replacement. The Burnley-born forward has showed glimpses of the talent he has, but he hasn't been able to be consistent enough to warrant a place in the starting XI when everyone is available.
Having netted five goals in 23 matches during his debut season, Barnes started the 2024/25 campaign on fire. He scored three times and added one assist in Newcastle's first five Premier League games - and Barnes managed to conjure up that output despite starting just twice in that period and coming off the bench three times.
His most memorable contribution was, though, a winner against Wolves in September. It was a trademark Barnes finish as he cut in on to his favourite right foot before bending the ball into the top corner.
Since that run, Barnes has scored just twice in 22 appearances, with his most recent goal coming from the start against Brentford in December. His form hasn't been ideal, though the former West Brom and Leicester attacker has not had much game-time, having clocked just 56 minutes of Premier League football in 2025.
There is no doubt Barnes is a very talented footballer and can produce in the top-flight, having showed that with Leicester over the years, but now is his time to shine for Newcastle. If he can produce against West Ham and then help the Magpies beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, he will instantly gain hero status.
Barnes has experience of winning major trophies in the past. Although he was injured for the final, Barnes helped Leicester win the FA Cup during the 2020/21 season, scoring some important goals en route to Wembley. He also lifted the Community Shield against Manchester City in August 2021.
Considering his injury return and struggles at Newcastle, winning the Carabao Cup - and playing a starring role in the final - might well prove to be Barnes' sweetest trophy and moment to date.
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