ANTHONY GORDON is not involved in Newcastle United's Premier League game at Chelsea this afternoon.

The Magpies winger is not in the matchday squad at Stamford Bridge after suffering what club sources are describing as a "groin issue".

Eddie Howe has made two changes to the side that started last weekend's defeat to Brighton, with Jacob Murphy also dropping out of the starting line-up.

Harvey Barnes and Miguel Almiron are promoted to the starting side, with the former expected to start on the left and latter set to play on the right-hand side.

Almiron is making his first league start since Newcastle's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last March.

Eddie Howe has stuck with the same midfield three that played against Brighton, with Sandro Tonali once again combining with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.


CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.

Subs: Jorgensen, Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Fernandez, Mudryk, Felix, Nkunku, Sancho, Veiga.


NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Barnes.

Subs: Vlachodimos, Ruddy, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.