Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted his concern after Anthony Gordon was forced off injured against Chelsea.
The former Everton winger started Monday night’s chaotic 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge, but pulled up early with discomfort.
While Gordon initially played on, he went down again following an innocuous-looking challenge from Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella 10 minutes before half-time and could not continue after treatment as he was replaced by Jacob Murphy, who had initially dropped out of the starting lineup in favour of Miguel Almiron and scored a belting late goal that set up a nervy finish.
Newcastle manager Howe revealed after the frustrating Premier League defeat in west London that Gordon had sustained a knee injury that got worse as the first half wore on and was not looking good as they prepare to assess the severity in the coming days.
“We fear it's not looking too good. He's in a lot of pain, but it's early days,” Howe said in his post-match press conference. “It was a knee problem that came on gradually.”
Newcastle could now be without Gordon for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against holders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, while the setback also came in front of the watching England boss Gareth Southgate, who this week is due to name his final pre-European Championship squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley.
Newcastle are already without several key first-team players through injury at present in Nick Pope, Joelinton and Callum Wilson, plus the banned Sandro Tonali, while Kieran Trippier was absent against Chelsea and is also expected to miss the trip to City with a knock suffered in the 3-0 win over Wolves last weekend.
Harvey Barnes - who missed more than four months of action earlier this season with a foot issue before finally returning in February - did not play against Chelsea as the result of a hamstring injury that will now likely keep him out until after the international break, though Dan Burn is expected to be fine after going off following an awkward fall against Chelsea.
Howe said: “Harvey against Wolves when he came on just felt a hamstring tightness. We've scanned the area and don't think it's bad, but it's enough to keep him out tonight and probably against Manchester City.”
On Burn, he said straight after the game: "I think Burn is OK, but I don’t know that 100 per cent.”
