Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says it was his decision not to start winger Anthony Gordon against Barcelona due to illness after he was criticized by Alan Shearer.
Newcastle legend Shearer has questioned why key forward Gordon played only a supporting role in the Champions League last-16 first leg, which Howe described as the “biggest game” in the club’s history.
In the end, Newcastle drew the game 1-1, with Gordon coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute.
Shearer, the Magpies’ record goalscorer, told Amazon Prime: “I know he’s not feeling well, but this is Barcelona playing Newcastle for a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.”
“It would take something extraordinary to protect yourself from this game.”
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Shearer was supported by former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, who told the Overlap newspaper: “Even though you’re not feeling well, please do your best for 30 minutes.”
Howe said: “We have to work something out with Anthony Gordon. He was absolutely keen to play in the game against Barcelona.”
“I know there will be a lot of comments, but it was my decision not to start him based on the fact that he was unwell that morning and did not take part in the training session.
“He was ready to play, but after consulting with his medical team, they deemed him unfit to play.”
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Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has summarized the best reaction to Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League.
Gordon has played up front for Newcastle at times this season due to injury problems with his team-mates. He has scored 10 goals in the Champions League but only four in the Premier League.
Asked about Gordon’s personality, Howe said: “Ali, I would probably classify him as a winner. He wants to win everything and is a real competitor. He has the qualities that every top player needs, he’s very single-minded, very focused on his development and his game.
“I really have nothing but glowing things to say about him this year. It wasn’t a simple season for him. Like any player, he had a lot of challenges.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon clash in Barcelona’s Champions League last 16 clash at Newcastle
“But I think he’s probably in his best moment of the season. He’s playing really well. He obviously has a different role than we have and has adapted to it really well.”
“There’s a lot of pressure on him and there’s a lot of media attention on him, but of course he’s an England international.
“He’ll have his own objectives and goals that he wants to achieve, but I think he’s done a really good job.”
Howe shares fitness updates for Wissa, Miley and Guimarães
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports, Howe said that Yoan Wissa, who did not feature in the game against Barcelona, was not injured.
“Yoan is healthy,” Howe said. “He’s probably fitter than at any stage he’s been with us. He’s been training with the group whenever we’ve been training and we’ve never had any worries about injury.
“The challenge for Yoan is that he has to perform when he comes on and is on the pitch.”
Howe also said that although Lewis Miley is not currently training with the group, there remains hope that he will be available for Wednesday’s second leg against Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Bruno Guimarães is scheduled to return from Brazil on Monday, where he is undergoing treatment for a hamstring injury.
“He’s a very big player, so I’d like to think he’ll be fit and ready to play by the end of the international break,” Howe said.
