Anthony Gordon hint dropped by Eddie Howe as winger stays on bench again

Newcastle United probably could have done with the creative spark afforded by Anthony Gordon on Sunday as they once again let a lead slip.

For about 80 minutes, Newcastle were the better team against Nottingham Forest, but struggled to force a breakthrough until substitute Harvey Barnes gave the Magpies a one-goal lead.

As has been the case far too often this season, though, Newcastle switched off after scoring, and Elliot Anderson came back to haunt the Magpies, scoring a late equaliser.

Harvey Barnes came off the bench and made a big difference, but once again, his introduction meant there was no room on the pitch for Anthony Gordon, who looks to be on his way out of St James' Park in the summer.

Eddie Howe is 'looking at the future'

While Gordon not being used in the last two games doesn't confirm anything, all signs are pointing towards the exit now, and Eddie Howe's words to the media after the game certainly suggest that may well be the case after he was asked about Gordon's omission, as reported by the BBC.

"It was tactical. The team has performed well in Anthony's absence. Obviously, we have gone with a bit more solidity with Joelinton playing wide and one winger the other side just to try and strengthen us defensively, because we weren't happy with how we were defending.

"Since January, really, we have been disappointed - so a change of structure really. Ant has come back to fitness. He's training well but, also, I'm looking at the future as well."

Bye-bye, Gordon

Many have taken Howe's words to mean that he's planning for a future without Gordon in the side, and honestly, it's hard to read it any other way.

As Everton fans will tell you, when Anthony Gordon sets his mind on leaving, he'll find a way to do it, and with all the talk around a move to Bayern Munich, it just feels like it's an inevitability.

Also, you don't leave a player like Anthony Gordon on the bench when you're going through a sticky patch of form unless there's something going on behind the scenes.