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Anthony Gordon could be set for an extended spell as an emergency striker with Newcastle team-mate Alexander Isak facing the prospect of being sidelined until after the international break.
The 23-year-old England winger started in a central role against Manchester City on Saturday in Isak’s absence with a fractured toe, winning and converting the penalty which handed the Magpies a creditable 1-1 Premier League draw.
Isak suffered the break during the club’s 2-1 win at Wolves on September 15 and played at Fulham six days later having had a pain-killing injection, which proved to be only partially successful.
Asked if he had aggravated the injury in the process, head coach Eddie Howe, who confirmed the Sweden international will not play against League Two Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, said: “I don’t think that would be the case.
“It was one of those situations where, if he could tolerate the pain, he would be fine. He tolerated the pain for about 80 minutes before he became aware of any feeling back in that toe.
“It was either he’d be out until probably after the international break initially, or he could carry on playing as normal if he could tolerate the feelings and the effects of the injury.
“He hasn’t been able to do that, so we’re back to the original diagnosis, I think.”
Fingers crossed he can be and can be involved against Everton and can go with his international team— Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak
In an ideal world, Howe would like to have Isak back to lead the line at Everton on Saturday, but if he does not make it to Goodison Park, it seems unlikely that he would be available for Sweden’s Nations League fixtures against Slovakia and Estonia.
Asked if he would prefer the frontman not to join up with his country, Howe said: “It all depends on if he’s fit or not. Fingers crossed he can be and can be involved against Everton and can go with his international team.”
In the meantime, Howe has few genuine options with Callum Wilson still injured and 21-year-old summer signing Will Osula, who could see action against the Dons in a third-round tie which has been switched to St James’ Park as a result of damage to the pitch at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, still raw.
That could mean Gordon holding the fort once again, although Howe does not see that as a long-term solution.
He said: “I’d probably still say that his best position is as a left-winger currently, but he can and does have the ability to play different roles.
“Number nine is one of them and he can play that very, very well.
“But it is different for him. I think he has so many great skills as a winger. His ability to play one-versus-one, his decision making in wide areas is as good as there is in the Premier League, in my opinion, so you’ve got to be careful before changing that too much.”
