Eddie Howe sends clear message to Anthony Gordon amid transfer speculation | OneFootball

Eddie Howe insists he will only select players fully committed to Newcastle United as speculation continues over Anthony Gordon’s future.

Reports have linked the England international with a possible summer move, with Bayern Munich and Arsenal among the clubs mentioned. Howe, however, stressed his stance applies to every player in the squad: "I discuss things with players all the time. I don't necessarily address transfer speculation unless it gets to the point that I feel I have to.

"After I had the chat with Sandro [Tonali], the biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training. That will be the same with Anthony [Gordon] and every player.

"I won't play a player if I don't think they are 100% committed to the club and its future. I have to do what I think is right for the team.

"Players who are high-profile like they are here, they're in the news all the time for loads of different reasons. You have to adapt to it and try to play to your best level with the noise around you. I don't think any player can use that as an excuse towards performances."

Newcastle head into the weekend in 14th place following defeats to Crystal Palace and Sunderland, and Howe admitted the squad are determined to rediscover momentum.

“Yeah, we need that winning feeling back. It’s been too long. We’re desperate to win and play well.

"This week we’ve had a mix of emotions. There was anger after the Crystal Palace result and those emotions can be really positive if you use them right.

"There haven’t been too many smiling faces around the training ground, but there’s a feeling of steely determination to put it right.

“It’s been a strange year in terms of the Premier League table, it’s been very tight all season. We need a run of wins that we’ve needed all season. The biggest difference has been the lack of consistency."

With uncertainty surrounding several players’ futures - and his own - Howe said his priority remains Newcastle’s long-term interests.

“I just want to serve the club and do what’s right for the football club,” he said. “That’s always been my aim. If that’s me leaving to help the club, then of course that’s something I’ll do, I’ve got no issue doing that. It’s not about me. But if I believe I’m the right person to take the club forward, which I do currently right now, then I’ll do that and I’ll fight to the end.