Woltemade had scored what proved to be decisive purpose within the 1-0 win in opposition to Wolves on the weekend earlier than coming off with cramp on his debut.
So, with striker Yoane Wissa sidelined with a knee damage, Gordon acquired the nod to steer the road.
And Howe refused to dwell on his resolution to not begin the towering Woltemade on Thursday night time.
“I can not stay in that world,” he stated. “I’ve to make choices for the advantage of the gamers typically.
“It was a extremely tough one for Nick. Any participant would wish to begin the sport, however I’ve acquired to attempt to handle him into the crew and check out and ensure he stays match. That was at all times on the coronary heart of this resolution.”
Howe, because of this, recalled Gordon, who’s at present serving a three-match home ban.
The fast Anthony Elanga additionally got here into the facet rather than Jacob Murphy, who’s nursing an Achilles challenge, in a bid to attempt to exploit the area behind Barcelona’s excessive line.
Elanga and Gordon very practically linked up within the opening levels.
Nonetheless, Gordon couldn’t join with Elanga’s pullback earlier than Harvey Barnes noticed a curling effort comfortably saved by goalkeeper Joan Garcia just some minutes later.
Barnes then had an enormous alternative to open the scoring halfway via the primary half after the vigorous Elanga slid the ball throughout to the again submit however the ahead might solely hearth straight at Garcia.
It introduced again recollections of the opening weeks of the season, when Newcastle fired blanks in opposition to Aston Villa and Leeds United.
No surprise Howe had his palms on his head on the touchline at one level.
In a recreation like this, Newcastle needed to be ruthless in entrance of purpose – simply as they had been in a 4-1 win in opposition to PSG a few a years in the past.
To prosper on this competitors, they’re going to should be scientific.
Beginning with the journey to Brussels to face Union Saint-Gilloise subsequent month.
“There was no missing when it comes to coronary heart and braveness,” Howe stated. “We will be vital of a few issues we might have finished higher however, finally, we’ll analyse it, attempt to enhance and attempt to develop from this expertise.”
