Anthony Gordon leaves the field after his red card against Brighton. (Image: Getty)
Newcastle are set to be dealt a hammer double blow for the League Cup final after reportedly deciding not to appeal Anthony Gordon’s red card against Brighton. The winger endured a moment of madness in the closing minutes of the FA Cup tie, raising his hands to push Jan Paul van Hecke after the referee’s whistle had gone for offside.
Without Gordon, Eddie Howe’s side lost 2-1 after extra time. Afterwards, the manager insisted he had not realised the dismissal would mean Gordon missing the Wembley clash with Liverpool. He also said the club would assess the incident before deciding on an appeal.
Newcastle have now seemingly decided not to contest the automated three-game ban. That means the 24-year-old won’t be available for next Monday’s game at West Ham, the final on March 16, or the home clash with Brentford on April 2 after the international break.
The saga echoes Newcastle’s last League Cup final appearance in 2022, where they lost 2-0 to Manchester United. Critically, they went into that clash without suspended keeper Nick Pope, who was sent off against Liverpool in the previous Premier League match.
Lewis Hall injured his ankle against Liverpool last month. (Image: Getty)
Gordon’s absence is not the only blow to Howe’s hopes of securing the club’s first domestic trophy since 1955. First-choice left-back Lewis Hall has been out with an ankle injury since Newcastle’s latest clash with The Reds at Anfield last month and has since seen a specialist.
According to the Daily Mail, the 20-year-old has been told he won’t be fit in time for Wembley. The full extent of the problem is yet to be revealed, with Tino Livramento set to fill in during his layoff.
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The Magpies were already considered outsiders for the silverware, given the rampant form of Arne Slot’s side. The news on Gordon and Hall now means Howe will be denied the chance to field two of his most pivotal players.
It’s not the only selection worry he has hanging over him. Shortly after Gordon’s red card against Brighton, top scorer Alexander Isak limped off with an apparent injury.
