'Big boost': Eddie Howe is excited to welcome back £45m star to Premier League starting lineup on Sunday
Eddie Howe hasn't been able to pick what will become a settled starting XI for Newcastle United since the opening day of the new season.
The Magpies started the season without a new striker and had to rely on Will Osula or Anthony Gordon playing as a centre-forward.
Then Anthony Gordon picked up a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Virgil Van Dijk in the game against Liverpool, which saw him suspended for three domestic games.
Gordon has played in the Champions League and now the Carabao Cup, but Sunday's game against Arsenal will be his return to the Premier League set up.
Eddie Howe says Anthony Gordon is the man for big games
Howe is likely to reintroduce Gordon straight away as the former Everton man tends to be one of those players for the big occasion.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Eddie Howe confirmed that Gordon's return will be a 'big boost' to the side.
"It is a big boost for us to have him back fully. He can really focus on the few games we have ahead of the next international break. I thought he was excellent against Bradford. He is a player that rises to the occasion, and we are going to need everyone to do that on Sunday."
Eddie Howe has choices to make on Sunday for his front three
We could see the front three of Gordon, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga in action for the first time, which we'd expect is the ultimate goal this season to have them as the settled forward line.
Jacob Murphy is in contention, however, and he has probably looked the better option over Elanga in terms of end product. Elanga has dazzled with this pace and energy, but it's Murphy who has the assists to show for his efforts.
It's a tremendous headache for Eddie Howe to have, and now he has that choice to make on the left too, whether to go with Gordon or Harvey Barnes, although that one feels a bit of an easier call if we're being honest.
