Losing their last two games in league and cup, Eddie Howe's Newcastle United will be aiming to right some wrongs when heading to West Ham United on Monday night.
Indeed, picking up a much-needed victory in the Premier League would be the ultimate confidence boost for the Magpies before heading into the EFL Cup final versus Arne Slot's Liverpool, knowing full well anything is possible in a one-off affair at Wembley.
Newcastle-Alexander-Isak
Whatever does take place when the Reds and the Toon do eventually butt heads, Newcastle will have to make do without Anthony Gordon being present as the ex-Everton man remains sidelined due to a suspension.
Gordon's rising importance at Newcastle
Whilst the likes of Alexander Isak have stolen many a headline this season for their sensational attacking displays, Gordon is definitely in the same conversation when it comes to Howe's most important performers at St James' Park.
Whilst Isak is way out in the lead as the Toon's top scorer in the Premier League this season with 16 unbelievable strikes, the 24-year-old finds himself in the silver medal position with six goals of his own in league action, on top of also collecting an impressive five assists.
It's been a sharp rise for Gordon who was a raw but unpolished gem when the Magpies picked him up for a steep £45m back in January of 2023, having only helped himself to seven goals in the Everton first team from 78 clashes.
That goal haul overall for his boyhood club has nearly been eclipsed just this season in his far more comfortable surroundings, with Gordon now an accomplished top-flight presence on Tyneside.
Gordon's PL numbers by season
Season
24/25
23/24
22/23
21/22
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Looking at the table above, it's clear how much Gordon has grown pulling on Newcastle black and white, with Howe hopeful that an up-and-coming talent can soon follow in the England international's footsteps.
Anthony Gordon looks dejected for Liverpool
Howe's next Gordon at St James' Park
It's not just the 24-year-old in isolation who has come on leaps and bounds under Howe's guidance, with starlets such as Lewis Miley and William Osula gifted regular opportunities to impress as the next generation of Newcastle stars.
The lesser-spotted Vakhtang Salia is another face that could soon make waves in the senior picture at the top-flight side, having already been hailed as "one of the best teenage prospects in the world" today by journalist Graeme Bailey.
After all, the Georgian attacker was being looked at by Manchester City and Arsenal at one stage, but Howe and Co ultimately won the 17-year-old's services ahead of other frenzied suitors, with the FC Dinamo Tbilisi youngster officially joining the Newcastle in August.
Much like Gordon once had to deal with at Goodison Park, Salia has a lot of hype surrounding his name, with the Georgia U21 international already up to seven goals in the Tbilisi senior side, despite only being a teenager very much learning the ropes.
Everyone associated with the Tyneside outfit will hope Salia can add a new spark to the first team on his arrival, with Miley and Osula acting as a big inspiration.
Capable of playing as a striker too, Salia's arrival on the scene as a tricky attacker will also gift the Magpies another option up top, away from the 17-year-old potentially mirroring Gordon's rise down the flanks.
Anthony Gordon celebrates for Newcastle
Of course, all of this hype could work against Salia, but the Newcastle masses will pray another exceptional youngster is about to be unearthed.
Lewis Hall for Newcastle Related
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Newcastle sold a player in January who would have replaced Lewis Hall.