Howe must finally bench Gordon & unleash Newcastle's new Alexander Isak

Newcastle United face local rivals Sunderland at St James’ Park later on this afternoon, looking to secure huge bragging rights in the infamous Tyne-Wear Derby.

Eddie Howe’s men will be looking to get their revenge on the Black Cats, after losing the previous clash at the Stadium of Light back in the middle of December.

The manager will know the importance of the clash to the supporters, especially given the period without the fixture due to the visitors’ decline through the pyramid.

However, a win is all that matters for the Magpies this afternoon, with all three points potentially bolstering any late chances of securing European football for 2026/27.

If Howe’s men are to secure bragging rights on home soil this afternoon, the 48-year-old desperately needs to drop one player who’s struggled in the last couple of weeks.

Why Anthony Gordon should be dropped against Sunderland

Newcastle’s attack has been a huge factor in their success in recent seasons, but the club’s forward line has struggled to provide the goods in the last few outings.

Winger Anthony Gordon has been selected to start in a central striker role, but the England international has massively failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him.

The 25-year-old started the humbling Champions League defeat against Barcelona on Wednesday night, with his underlying stats demonstrating his struggles at the Camp Nou.

He featured for 81 minutes against the LaLiga giants, but was only able to register 10 touches of the ball, subsequently being unable to have a positive impact on proceedings.

Gordon also only completed three passes in the process, with just one of his touches coming in the opposition box - with his lack of goal threat evident throughout the defeat.

After such a display, the manager simply can’t afford to have any passengers for the local derby, with every player needing to be on top form if they are to secure all three points.

The Newcastle star who can be the next Isak

He may now be an unpopular figure with the Newcastle supporters, but they will no doubt be wishing they could call upon the services of striker Alexander Isak.

The Swedish international left the Magpies in controversial circumstances during the summer, subsequently handing in a transfer request to push through a move to Liverpool.

However, he’s previously showcased his ability to score against Sunderland, as seen with his double against the Black Cats in the FA Cup back in the 2023/24 campaign.

Howe will obviously not be able to call upon the 26-year-old this afternoon after his departure, but he could find his next version of the talisman ahead of the local derby.

Gordon dropping out of the starting eleven would open up a place at the top end of the pitch - something which should be music to the ears of centre forward Nick Woltemade.

The German has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, as seen by his tally of just seven goals in his 26 top-flight outings since his transfer last summer.

However, the Tyne-Wear Derby could be the perfect opportunity for the 24-year-old to make a name for himself after a stop-start period to his career on Tyneside.

If given the chance, he could emulate Isak in scoring against the Black Cats for the Magpies, potentially filling the boots left by the former fan-favourite in the summer.

The Swedish international also struggled to set the world alight during his own first season in Newcastle, subsequently only managing to find the net on 10 occasions.

Woltemade has already matched such a tally across all competitions, with real hope that the German can be the club’s leading talisman for many years to come.

The clash against Sunderland could be the perfect platform for the big-money addition to finally showcase his worth and capture the hearts of the fanbase.

Gordon is a player who desperately needs to be dropped from the starting eleven, especially after his lack of impact during the midweek European clash in Spain.

Woltemade is the perfect man to lead the line once again this afternoon, with the forward having the chance to write his name in Magpies history should he get on the scoresheet.

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