Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is hoping Anthony Gordon’s groin injury is not serious as the club await the results of a scan on the England international.
Gordon was a surprise absentee from Newcastle’s starting line-up for Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, with Harvey Barnes replacing him on the left wing.
“Yesterday, he (Gordon) felt his groin in training,” Howe said after the Chelsea loss. “We hope it’s not serious, but he went for a scan this morning.”
Gordon had started Newcastle’s previous eight league games, contributing two goals. The 23-year-old travelled down to London for the game and sat behind the Newcastle substitutes at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle went behind in the 18th minute of the match, with Nicolas Jackson converting first time from a Pedro Neto pass following a precise through ball from Cole Palmer.
Alexander Isak equalised just after the half-hour mark, turning home a Lewis Hall cross. But Chelsea re-took the lead at the start of the second half as Palmer beat Nick Pope at his near post, and the home side hung on to the lead despite late pressure from Newcastle.
The result leaves Howe’s side 12th in the Premier League with three wins, three draws and three defeats in their opening nine games.
Newcastle face Chelsea at home in their next fixture, Wednesday’s Carabao Cup last-16 tie. They then welcome Arsenal to St. James’ Park on Saturday.
GO DEEPER
The Briefing: Chelsea 2 Newcastle 1 – Palmer’s pass, the visitors’ Cobham influence and left-back James
(George Wood/Getty Images)
