Howe explains Gordon omission as Newcastle focus on next season

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe left Anthony Gordon out for a second week, citing a focus on future planning.

Gordon's recent absence The club's leading scorer, Anthony Gordon, has not played for Newcastle United since 12 April. He missed matches against Arsenal and Bournemouth due to a minor hip flexor issue but returned to full training ahead of games against Brighton and Nottingham Forest. Despite being fit, Howe chose not to start him in either fixture, instead keeping him on the bench both times. The England international has also drawn formal interest from Bayern Munich. ## Coach explains strategic choices Howe described Gordon's latest exclusion as a tactical decision following Newcastle's 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on Sunday. He pointed to improved team performance without Gordon, highlighting a shift in formation for better defensive stability. 'It was tactical,' he explained to the local radio station, noting changes made since January. 'The team has performed well in Anthony's absence. Obviously, we have gone with a bit more solidity with Joelinton playing wide and one winger the other side just to try and strengthen us defensively, because we weren't happy with how we were defending.' ## Looking ahead to next season The head coach emphasized planning for the future with several key decisions, including Gordon's omission. He noted the forward's fitness and consistent training but reiterated his focus on long-term goals. 'He's training well but, also, I'm looking at the future as well,' Howe stated. This philosophy extended to other squad choices, particularly with Kieran Trippier, who will leave the club at season's end. ## Trippier's role and replacements Despite being the only available right-back after injuries to Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento, Howe opted against starting Trippier. Left-back Lewis Hall filled the position initially, later switching to the opposite flank when Trippier entered as a substitute for captain Bruno Guimaraes in added time. 'We have got one eye on the future,' Howe added, referencing other squad decisions aimed at evaluating young players. ## Emerging talent steps up Howe praised the contributions of younger players, highlighting Jacob Ramsey and Harvey Barnes during the match. Ramsey made a significant impact upon coming on, while Barnes' early goal was canceled out by Elliot Anderson's late equalizer. 'I thought Jacob Ramsey was magnificent when he came on. He really made a big difference. As did Harvey. So it was great to see players stepping up and grabbing their opportunities when they come.' ## Future-focused squad selection The coach underlined the importance of assessing players for next season's setup, linking it to broader strategic planning. 'It's our duty to try and look to the future and see what the new team is going to look like next year,' he said. The statements came after Newcastle secured a point in their latest fixture, with Howe's comments reinforcing his approach to squad development and tactical adjustments.