Major Anthony Gordon update hours ahead of Newcastle United v Manchester United

Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, who hasn’t featured for the club in six weeks due to injury and suspension, is back part of the matchday squad.

Gordon was a doubt heading into the Premier League clash after missing training due to an ongoing groin issue picked up while on international duty with England.

But the winger has arrived at St James’ Park ready to be named in the matchday squad.

Newcastle have named an unchanged starting line-up in the four games since Gordon came out of the side, with all four ending in wins. Gordon missed Newcastle’s 1-0 win at West Ham United, 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool and 2-1 win at home to Brentford due to a straight red card picked up in the FA Cup last-16 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at St James’ Park last month.

After serving his suspension, Gordon was then ruled out of Newcastle’s 3-0 win at Leicester City last time out due to injury.

Anthony Gordon ruled out for six weeks as Jason Tindall drops hint

With Harvey Barnes coming into the side and doing well in his absence, it’s unlikely that Gordon would come straight back into the side.

And Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall dropped a hint that a decision had already been made around Gordon’s availability.

“He's had a decent week with the physios,” Tindall said during Friday’s pre-match press conference. “He was back out on grass for a pitch session [Thursday]. So we'll assess him again to see how he's responded to that session and then we'll have to make a late call on whether he's available for the bench on Sunday.”

Tindall saying a call will be made whether Gordon is ‘available for the bench’ suggests a decision had already been made that the winger will not be starting with Barnes set to keep his place.

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Eddie Howe praises Harvey Barnes’ impact

Barnes has stood up to the challenge of coming into the side in Gordon’s place in recent weeks, playing a role in Newcastle’s opening goal at Leicester before scoring himself against his former club.

Speaking after the match at the King Power Stadium, head coach Eddie Howe told The Gazette: “Yeah, he's done really well Harvey. I think he's got better with games naturally, I think like every player does.

“He's looked confident and it's important he scored tonight because he's a goal scorer and he needs to contribute in that way, being such an attacking player that he is. But also he played his part in the first goal which I loved.

“It was a really good decision. He's built a good relationship up with Tino [Livramento] alongside him so I'm really pleased with that side of the pitch. I thought he defended well as well. That can never be underestimated.

“Wide players have a big responsibility to the defensive ability of the team, and I think he can be really pleased.”

Howe misses Sunday’s match at St James’ Park due to illness.

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