‘Don’t know’ - Eddie Howe gives fitness update on six Newcastle players ahead of Man Utd clash

Eddie Howe has admitted he is unsure if Anthony Gordon will be fit to face Manchester United this weekend.

The winger, who joined Newcastle United from Everton in January, is suffering with an ankle issue and is a major doubt for the visit of Erik ten Hag’s side. "I don’t know if he [Gordon] will be available on Sunday,” Howe said on Friday. “He took part in a very small part of training on Wednesday so we’ll see how he’s responded to that today.”

While Gordon’s fitness is uncertain, Nick Pope is expected to be available for Sunday’s game. The goalkeeper pulled out of the latest England squad with a slight knock, but Howe said Pope has now recovered from the injury.

"Nick felt a problem in his thigh after the Wolves game [on 12 March] and didn’t train in preparation for the Nottingham Forest game [on 17 March] but completed that game with a bit of discomfort. He didn’t train in Dubai [over the international break] but has done this week, so the signs are good,” explained the former Bournemouth boss.

Howe also gave an update on Fabian Schar, who was struggling with a foot problem prior to the two-week pause in the Premier League season. "The break was good. It’s been good for some players, it gave us an opportunity to rest a couple that were carrying injuries,” he said. “Fabian Schar is a prime example of someone who played through pain so the break came at a good time for him."

Meanwhile, Callum Wilson is expected to be available again following a recent muscular issue, while the striker has also been suffering from illness. Allan Saint-Maximin is also back from a recent knock, and Sven Botman has recovered from a bout of food poisoning.

“Callum’s trained. Maxi’s trained. They’re both in good form, very positive,” said Howe. “Sven, I think, suffered food poisoning - quite a nasty bout of illness. I don’t think he was alone in the Holland camp, there were few players suffering the same thing.

“He left the camp early to try and get himself back up to speed. He has trained with us since he returned, so he should be fine.”

While the aforementioned quintent are set to be available, Miguel Almiron won’t be fit for Sunday, with the winger out for around a month with a thigh injury.

“I don’t see that [timescale] changing,” Howe said, when asked about Almiron’s absence. “I’d love it to. I’d love him to beat the timescale given, but I just don’t see it currently.

“He’s making really good progress. I think he’s pain-free. I don’t think there’s any long-term issues. I think it’s just a case of that’s the time it will take for the muscle to fully heal. So I think we’re four weeks off [a comeback], maybe slightly less. But yeah, he’s making really good progress.”