Eddie Howe issues Anthony Gordon update as Alexander Isak causes Newcastle striker crisis

Anthony Gordon hobbled off late on in Newcastle's pre-season loss to Atletico Madrid on Saturday to leave Eddie Howe sweating on his fitness with the Premier League opener just a week away.

The Magpies head to Aston Villa, who could well be some of their stiffest competition for Europe come May, and will hope to have their forward available. Gordon played as a central striker with Alexander Isak still absent from the first-team squad.

However an injury in the latter stages forced him off but Howe believes the issue may not be as bad as initially feared. That will come as a relief with Gordon potentially having to lead the line at Villa Park.

The Newcastle boss said: “We hope he’s ok. We think he’s got an ankle problem. Initially, maybe thought it was a muscle problem but the good news is that we think it is just a twist. So the initial feeling is that he should be ok.

“The last thing we want going into the last week is any type of injury to any player. We don’t have the depth to cover that so fingers crossed he is ok.”

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Next Saturday's clash will present Antony Elanga with the chance to make his competitive debut for his new club following his £55million move from Nottingham Forest. He is the club's high profile signing of the summer and will hope to build on his impressive campaign last time out. The winger scored a stoppage time winner to down Villa when he came up against them last term.

Newcastle cannot currently rely on Isak to lead their line and provide a goal threat with the Swede on the outer of the squad at present. He has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool but the club have informed him he will be going nowhere - news he did not take well.

Isak has not featured in pre-season after missing the tour of Asia. Howe has confessed that he cannot include the striker given the current state of affairs and the player has been told, until he accepts the decision, he will not play for Newcastle.

He said: "We've had discussions and it's clear at the moment that we can't involve him with the group. I don't know how long that will be for, but that's the latest.

"I'd want Alex to be playing today. I'd want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us. Let me make that absolutely clear. There's no part of me that doesn't want that outcome, but I don't see the current situation changing for Aston Villa."

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