Eddie Howe says he will not tell Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon to wind his neck in when representing the black and whites.
The January signing from Everton was named in the starting line-up at Aston Villa last weekend just a week after a flashpoint with Howe at Brentford when he was subbed late in the game. Since then Howe has made it clear that there are no issues between the pair and his selection at Villa Park sent out that exact message.
Unfortunately for Gordon he could do nothing to prevent Newcastle from losing but Howe said: "We want all that passion, all that enthusiasm and drive that he has. To help develop himself and improve his game.
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"And 99% of the time he has been here that's what he's done. Day to day he is a great person, driven to improve, he is one of the most hard working players in the squad, he's out working on his game regularly.
"He's fiercely determined to do well. So all the qualities of a top player.
"For me, he has the ability to be that as well. He is yet to really display that I think here but he will in the future."
Howe also stated he would not be telling Gordon to change his ways and feels he will be an exciting star of the future on Tyneside. When asked if getting him to change would take away half the player, Howe said: "Absolutely right. You can't change people's characters, you wouldn't want to.
"He's had a half-decent career to this point. There's loads more to come from him. I am really excited about him in the future."
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