Anthony Gordon missed Newcastle United’s defeat to Bournemouth with a hip injury.
Former England playmaker Joe Cole has told Anthony Gordon to ditch Newcastle United this summer.
The Toon winger is never too far away from speculation or controversy. In the past week, reports have emerged claiming Gordon is open to leaving the Magpies.
He then missed Newcastle’s defeat to Bournemouth with a hip injury - a situation some supporters have questioned. Just 24 hours earlier, Eddie Howe claimed he would only pick players who are committed to the club.
Eddie Howe on AnthonyThe Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this linkto join our NUFC WhatsApp channel. Gordon injury
The Toon boss was adamant that Gordon suffered an injury to dispel any cries of conspiracy. Howe told reporters: "He (Gordon) missed training on Thursday and Friday with a problem he picked up on Wednesday.
“We knew he wasn’t going to be ready. It was an injury. He went for a scan on Thursday morning, so we knew it was going to be an injury that was going to take him out of the game."
Joe Cole backs Anthony Gordon transfer
Ex-West Ham United, Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder Cole has declared his love for Gordon while urging him to seek a move away. Newcastle’s wideman has scored 17 goals across all competitions this season and is attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
“I love Anthony Gordon,” Cole said. “If he gets the chance to join an elite club, he should take it. He’s done so well in a difficult season for Newcastle. He’s 25, in peak form. A move to Bayern Munich would be incredible for him. If I were him, I’d take it with both hands.”
Eddie Howe downplays Anthony Gordon rumours
At his pre-match press conference, Howe suggested transfer rumours are part and parcel of managing a top club. He said about the Gordon story: "I think that comes with the territory. I think your best players will be the ones who are linked with high-profile moves.
“It is certainly not helpful to us, it is not something we encourage or want. We want players who are 100 per cent focused, with no outside noise. Outside noise can affect players in different ways.
“Those players that you mentioned are all super professional, they are great players in their own way, in their own right. We need them to make the difference on the pitch and I would say the same to all the players.
"It is reputations and how people assess you is one thing but what you deliver on the pitch is another. We need our best players playing at their best level and that is what we need from all players stepping on to the pitch."
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