Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is facing fresh injury concerns after Anthony Gordon picked up a hip problem during the 2-0 defeat to West Ham.
The England international, who has been one of Newcastle’s most consistent performers this season, was substituted at halftime at the London Stadium, sparking immediate worry among fans.
Howe later confirmed that Gordon had been feeling discomfort in his hip, which prompted the decision to take him off as a precaution. The manager also noted that part of the decision was tactical, as he looked to alter the team’s rhythm in the second half.
Gordon’s injury comes at an awkward time for Newcastle, especially with international duty approaching.
The winger is expected to be part of England’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, though those matches are essentially dead rubbers.
Whether he recovers in time to feature remains uncertain. For now, his fitness will be closely monitored in the coming days, with his participation in the upcoming friendly against Athletic Bilbao also in doubt.
Eddie Howe’s selection dilemmas extend beyond Gordon’s condition. The manager is also dealing with the absence of his reliable right-back, Kieran Trippier, who missed the West Ham clash due to illness.
Trippier’s absence was deeply felt, as Howe struggled to find stability on the right flank throughout the game. Emil Krafth, Jacob Murphy, and even Sandro Tonali were all used in that position at different times, but none managed to replicate Trippier’s influence or quality.
Speaking after the match, Howe admitted that finding a replacement for Trippier proved to be a major challenge. “We were looking for a solution to try to make the team perform better in that position,” he said.
“We knew it would not be easy because Kieran has such brilliant strengths that when he is missing, we miss them. He would have helped us at West Ham, but he wasn’t there, so we needed to find a different way.”
The manager also highlighted that Tino Livramento’s continued absence has compounded the issue, leaving Newcastle short of natural options at right-back. “We are missing Tino as well, so that’s two big players, and that’s why I did what I did,” Howe explained, referencing his defensive reshuffle.
Another player whose situation drew attention was Lewis Hall. The young full-back was included on the bench but remained unused throughout the game.
Howe revealed that his decision not to bring Hall on was influenced by the player’s limited training time and lack of match fitness. “I was very reluctant to put him on,” Howe admitted.
“He’s only had one training session, and I didn’t want to push him too hard. I had no other senior professionals to put on the bench, and if we did, he probably wouldn’t have been there.”
As for Trippier’s possible return in the next match against Bilbao, Howe remained cautious and refused to make any promises. When asked directly if the England international would start, he simply responded, “We’ll wait and see.”
With several key players dealing with fitness issues and fatigue, Howe finds himself managing a delicate balance between keeping his squad competitive and preventing further injuries.
Newcastle’s season has already been filled with challenges, from congested fixtures to injury setbacks, and the situation with Gordon and Trippier only adds to the list of concerns.
For supporters, the hope will be that Gordon’s hip issue is minor and that Trippier’s illness clears up quickly. Both players are essential to Newcastle’s style of play Gordon with his energy and attacking drive, and Trippier with his leadership and delivery from wide areas.
The coming days will be crucial as Howe and his medical team assess their readiness ahead of another demanding run of fixtures.
