Is Gordon the man to shake things up?

EDDIE Howe is not a man for changing his tried and tested formula at Newcastle United. And why should he, with the Carabao Cup already in the trophy cabinet and a place in next season's Champions League tantalisingly close?

- By STUART JAMIESON

The United squad is limited when it comes to tactical switches, especially with Joelinton and Lewis Hall ruled out. However, there is one player pressing for a starting role who Howe could accommodate against Chelsea this weekend, with a change to the formation.

Anthony Gordon has not started a game for Newcastle since he was sent off in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton at the start of March.

During his ban, and recovery from injury picked up on international duty for England, he saw Harvey Barnes take his chance with both hands. Since then, he has had to make do with a place on the bench, and while his minutes have been limited, it would be hard to argue he did much to justify a place in the starting XI in brief appearances.