Anthony Gordon faces injury setback before crucial match

In England, Anthony Gordon experienced a concerning hip injury late in a World Cup qualifying match against Albania, which ended on Friday night. The injury occurred shortly after he entered the game as a substitute, with the winger facing discomfort that prompted him to limp off, leading to fears regarding his fitness. Following the game, the new England manager, Thomas Tuchel, expressed worry about Gordon's condition, indicating that it didn't look good. Tuchel initially thought the injury may have been related to Gordon's stomach but confirmed that it was indeed his hip. As a result of the injury, England announced on Sunday that Gordon would withdraw from the squad and return to Newcastle United for further assessment and treatment. The injury means he will miss the upcoming match against Latvia, which would have been an opportunity for him to impress his new manager and potentially secure more playing time with the national team. The England squad faced criticism over their overall performance against Albania, with Tuchel noting that the wingers, including Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford, struggled to make a significant impact during the match. Tuchel's complaints centered on the need for more aggressive play from the wings, highlighting that the team looked to add more decisive movements to their game. With Gordon now sidelined, the focus will shift back to Foden and Rashford as England aims to maintain their winning momentum under Tuchel's management. There was a sense of disappointment in the camp, as it was seen that Gordon could have been an essential addition to the squad, especially after the criticisms of players' performances in the preceding match against Albania. Overall, the news comes at a time when the England squad is navigating a transitional phase under a new manager, and injuries to key players like Gordon can have significant implications for the team’s strategies as they continue their World Cup qualifying campaign. With the next match fast approaching, the absence of Gordon due to the injury places added pressure on the remaining squad members to deliver results without him, stressing the importance of maintaining fitness and performance levels throughout the qualifying round.