Anthony Gordon reportedly influenced one of Gareth Southgate's biggest squad decisions on Thursday

England gaffer Gareth Southgate had to make some big decisions this week as his 33-man preliminary Euro 2024 squad needed to be whittled down to 26.

While Southgate had until 11pm tonight to make his final selections with another game to be played at Wembley before then, the Three Lions boss decided not to wait around and announced his final squad yesterday.

Newcastle United fans were keen to see if Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon were Germany-bound, and both players will be on that plane this month.

We wouldn't have expected Trippier to have been cut, but we were 50/50 on Gordon given his lack of experience with the England team.

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Southgate axed Jack Grealish when Gordon was passed fit

The other worry for Gordon was that he was still carrying a knock from Soyfan Amrabat's assault in the game against Manchester United and was facing a race against time to be fit.

Now The Telegraph are reporting that when Gordon was passed fit by the England medical team, that was when Southgate told Manchester City's Jack Grealish that he wouldn't be heading to Germany.

It was a huge call by Southgate, one that has probably caused the biggest stir out of all the players who were axed.

We now wonder what plans Southgate has for Anthony Gordon

Grealish has 36 England caps to Gordon's two, but it seems Southgate feels the future lies with the Newcastle winger.

That has to be a huge confidence boost for Gordon heading into tonight's friendly against Iceland and indeed, heading to Euro 2024.

It'll be interesting to see how much of a part Gordon will play in Germany, whether Southgate considers Gordon as part of his starting XI, an impact sub or just one of those poor squad members who go along for the ride.

Hoepfully, he'll get some minutes under his belt tonight at Wembley to push himself into that starting XI category.