'Desperate': Harvey Barnes has been told to seize his opportunity in Newcastle United's first team

 · April 4 2025, 13:30
'Desperate': Harvey Barnes has been told to seize his opportunity in Newcastle United's first team
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Harvey Barnes has recently been handed a golden opportunity at Newcastle United thanks to Anthony Gordon's three-match suspension.

Now that Gordon has served his time, Eddie Howe must look at whether to immediately reinstate the England winger, or stick with Harvey Barnes who has barely put a foot wrong when called upon in the last few games.

As we've already pointed out, the partnership that Barnes has forged with Tino Livramento is almost as good as that between Gordon and Lewis Hall.

But with Hall out for the season, it now remains to be seen if Gordon and Livramento can link up as well, or would it be better for Eddie Howe to stick with Barnes?

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Can Barnes keep Gordon out of the team?

We expect Harvey Barnes will get another chance to impress on Monday

It does sound as though Barnes is going to be given another shot to impress on Monday as Gordon recovers from the knock he picked up on England duty.

Howe told the press this morning (via The Chronicle) that Barnes has to seize his chance to make his case to start and that he feels he is doing that. But he's also spoken about Barnes' desperation to make an impact.

"When you get your opportunity, you have got to try and take it. You have got to try and grab it and make it impossible for me to take you out. That's the challenge for Harvey and hopefully he continues to play well.

"Harvey has been champing at the bit to play. He has been desperate to showcase what he can do, he brings unique things to the group, he is a goal threat. I trust him a lot. He has a lot of great attributes. I have been really happy how he has come into the team; he has been a consistent threat for us."

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It's a call we are glad we don't have to make

It's a huge call that Howe is going to have to make as Barnes hasn't really done anything to deserve being dropped.

However, fans will expect Anthony Gordon to play when he's fit, despite having a few off games this season.

We're glad it's not us who has to make this call as we're right on the fence with this one.

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