Newcastle United star ruled out for five weeks – will miss West Ham & Liverpool as official return date set

Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after receiving a straight red card in the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The winger was dismissed in the final minutes of regulation time after pushing Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke in the back of the head. Referee Anthony Taylor wasted no time in showing the red card, and a subsequent VAR review upheld the decision, leaving Newcastle with little room for immediate recourse.

The dramatic encounter saw more late twists, with Tariq Lamptey receiving a second yellow card and being sent off for Brighton. Moments later, Fabian Schär thought he had won it for Newcastle with a stoppage-time goal, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.

With the match pushed into extra time, Danny Welbeck eventually secured Brighton’s place in the quarter-finals with a well-taken goal in the 114th minute, deepening Newcastle’s disappointment.

Beyond their FA Cup exit, the real setback for Newcastle is Gordon’s impending suspension, which is expected to rule him out of three crucial matches, including the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.

Unless Newcastle successfully appeal the red card, he will also miss the upcoming Premier League fixture against West Ham United and the home match against Brentford.

With the Brentford game taking place after the March international break, Gordon is set to be out of action for five weeks before becoming available again for the fixture against Leicester City on April 7.

Despite this domestic suspension, he is still expected to join the England squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Albania and Latvia on March 21 and 24, respectively.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe hinted at the possibility of appealing the red card, suggesting that the club would take action if they believed there were valid grounds for a challenge.

Expressing his concerns over losing such a key player, Howe acknowledged the setback but also emphasized the importance of squad depth. With Gordon absent, Newcastle may have to rely on alternatives like Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes, or Joelinton to fill the void on the left flank.

However, overturning the red card appears to be an uphill battle given the FA’s strict stance on violent conduct. The governing body defines violent conduct as any instance where a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against another individual when not challenging for the ball.

Specifically, a deliberate strike to an opponent’s head or face with the hand or arm constitutes violent conduct unless the force used is deemed negligible. Given this definition, Newcastle’s chances of overturning Gordon’s ban seem slim, as the incident aligns closely with these criteria.

The timing of Gordon’s suspension is particularly damaging for Newcastle, as they prepare for a crucial period in their season.

The Carabao Cup final against Liverpool presents an opportunity for silverware, and missing one of their most dynamic attacking players adds to the challenge. His absence will also be felt in the Premier League, where Newcastle need every available asset to maintain momentum in the race for European qualification.

While Howe remains optimistic about the squad’s ability to cope without Gordon, there is no denying the winger’s impact this season. His pace, creativity, and work rate have been instrumental in Newcastle’s attacking play, and losing him at such a pivotal moment will force a tactical reshuffle.

Whether Newcastle can find a way to compensate for his absence remains to be seen, but the upcoming fixtures will test their depth and resilience.

With Newcastle’s appeal prospects uncertain, the club will likely focus on preparing for life without Gordon for the next few weeks. The FA’s decision will stand unless compelling evidence emerges to challenge the ruling. In the meantime, Howe will have to adapt his approach, relying on the squad’s versatility to navigate this challenging stretch.