· 10 August 2025, 13:30
**Newcastle United suffered another pre-season defeat on Saturday as Atletico Madrid beat the Magpies 2-0 at St James' Park to lift the Sela Cup.**
It was the first time since the cup's inception that Newcastle didn't lift the trophy, but despite not having won a game all pre-season and failing again on saturday, that was not the big concern at full time.
In the latter stages of the game, Anthony Gordon, who has been deployed as a centre-forward again in the absence of Alexander Isak, pulled up when making a run.
It looked like the forward, who was set to lead the line at Villa Park next weekend and pulled a hamstring the way he stopped running and fell to the ground.
Anthony Gordon's message to Newcastle fans
Eddie Howe said after the game that it wasn't as serious as it looked, and it was just a twisted ankle, and he should be okay to face Aston Villa.
Now, Anthony Gordon himself has posted on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/anthonygordon/) confirming what Howe said.
> "Just twisted my ankle. No Problems. Glad to be back home."
Newcastle could have two new arrivals through the door before the game against Villa, with Malick Thiaw set for a medical in the next 48 hours and progress expected on Yoane Wissa.
If the Thiaw deal gets done quickly, we may see him make the bench on Saturday, but with Wissa having downed tools to force a move, he'll be lacking match sharpness, so we don't expect he'd play a part even if he comes in early in the week.
Thankfully, Anthony Gordon will be fit. As much as we don't like seeing him play through the middle, he is still our best option right now, as Will Osula still needs some work.