**BBC pundit Wayne Rooney is backing Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon to be picked ahead of Marcus Rashford for England.**
The Manchester United loanee has been in excellent form since moving to Barcelona back in July, scoring 6 goals (2 of which came against the Magpies), and providing 9 assists. However, Rooney thinks Gordon should be starting along with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka:
“I think Saka and Anthony Gordon have to play out wide if fit. Saka has been brilliant for England.”
“Gordon works back but he also has pace running in behind. Rashford more takes the ball to feet. I would have Marcus coming off the bench for Harry Kane late in games.”
Tuchel is a fan of Gordon
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The 24-year-old has started England’s last three games. Manager Thomas Tuchel selected him to start in the impressive 5-0 demolition against Serbia back in September.
[**Gordon**](https://newcastleunitednews.org/blog/newcastle-united-news-anthony-gordon-terry/) was then named in the first eleven for the friendly versus Wales and the 5-0 win over Latvia in the World Cup qualifier last month. He also got on the scoresheet in the latter fixture.
The Newcastle star is out injured
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While Rooney seems to be backing Gordon to start at next year’s World Cup, the forward won’t be available for England’s upcoming games against Serbia and Albania.
The winger was forced to miss the 3-1 defeat to Brentford at the weekend due to a hip problem and he won’t recover in time to play for his national team.
Gordon’s absence will, of course, provide the likes of Rashford and others the chance to impress. He will be frustrated to miss out but Newcastle fans will be hoping the international break will give him the time he needs to recuperate before the Magpies’ next match against Manchester City later this month.
[**Read more about the Newcastle United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here**](https://newcastleunitednews.org/blog/newcastle-united-first-team-squad/)