Former Everton winger Anthony Gordon has defended the way in which he sealed his £40m move to Newcastle United - insisting speculation about refusing to train at Finch Farm was "misconstrued".
The 22-year-old finalised a transfer from Goodison Park in the final days of the January window, with reports at the time claiming he had refused to train at the Blues' Finch Farm training ground on consecutive days under new manager Sean Dyche.
It remains to be seen what kind of reception Gordon will get when he makes his first reutn to Goodison Park on Thursday evening.
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However, speaking in Newcastle United's matchday programme ahead of their game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Gordon defended the way in which ended his 10-year stint at Everton.
"Probably everything from the last year, I think!" said Gordon, when asked if he had ever read anything about himself in the media that wasn't true. "I don't blame the media because it can happen, and they can get fed from outside sources. But yeah, especially with how I got this move and stuff, a lot of that wasn't true. It was misconstrued.
"A lot of media stuff is not true and it's difficult at times being a player because you can't affect public opinion but you learn to block it out and it doesn't really affect me anymore."
Newcastle travel to Merseyside full of confidence after claiming a 6-1 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, leaving them seven games away from ending their 20-year exile from the Champions League.
Everton, meanwhile, will be looking to repeat last March's scalp over the St James' Park outfit in order to climb out of the relegation zone after their winless run in the Premier League extended to five following their recent stalemate at Crystal Palace.
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