Newcastle United fans & Anthony Gordon won't like Premier League VAR announcement after three-match ban

The match could prove crucial at both ends of the Premier League as Newcastle look to bounce back from last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa while Ipswich will be relegated if they fail to get a result.

The Magpies sit fifth in the Premier League heading into the weekend’s fixtures but will move back up to third with a win. Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, who sit third and fourth in the table respectively, go head to head in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend at Wembley Stadium.

With just five games remaining, Newcastle will be looking to secure a top five finish in the Premier League that would see them qualify for next season’s Champions League. As such, three points on Saturday could prove crucial.

And the Premier League have confirmed the match officials for the match.

Premier League match officials confirmed for Newcastle United v Ipswich Town

Michael Salisbury will be the referee for the match at St James’ Park, assisted by Neil Davies and Derek Eaton with Jeremy Simpson as fourth official.

Salisbury was on VAR duty for Newcastle’s 4-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. His previous Newcastle match as referee was the 1-0 win at West Ham United last month.

The Magpies won the match at the London Stadium thanks to a Bruno Guimaraes goal. The strike was subject to some scrutiny, with West Ham defender Max Kilman claiming he was fouled by Alexander Isak in the build-up - but the goal stood.

James Bell will be on VAR duty for Saturday’s match against Ipswich, assisted by Mat Wilkes.

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Anthony Gordon pushing to return for NUFC following injury and suspension

After naming an unchanged line-up for the last seven games, Newcastle could make some changes following the defeat at Villa and the expected return of head coach Eddie Howe to the dugout following illness.

Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon hasn’t started a match since the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup at St James’ Park almost eight weeks ago.

That game saw Gordon shown a straight red card by referee Anthony Taylor for pushing Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke in the head. The decision was reviewed and backed by VAR, with Gordon handed a three-match ban as a result.

Bell was the video assistant referee for the Brighton game and will return in the role for Saturday’s match against Ipswich.

Following his ban, Gordon missed an additional match due to injury before returning off the bench in the 4-1 win against Manchester United. The form of Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy has limited Gordon to substitute appearances since his return.

“Anthony has played the game long enough to understand that the team is playing extremely well,” explained Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall.

“Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy, two players in his position, are performing extremely well.

“At times like this as a player, as frustrating as it can be sometimes, you do need to put the shoe on the other foot and go ‘right, if I was that player performing that way, what would I expect’.

“You would always say that you would expect to be a good teammate, to support that person and continue to work hard every single day so when your moment comes when you step on that pitch you are able to go and deliver the performances that everyone knows you can.

“Testament to all the players. That’s what they have been doing so far.”

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