Eddie Howe has defended Anthony Gordon after the Newcastle United F.C. forward was criticised for not starting their UEFA Champions League match against FC Barcelona.
Pundits including Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane questioned his absence from the starting line-up. However, Howe explained that Gordon was ill and missed training on the morning of the match, so the decision not to start him was made by the coaching and medical staff.
Gordon later came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw and has since returned to training ahead of Newcastle’s next game.
