Woltemade had scored what proved to be decisive objective 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 harm, Gordon received the nod to guide the road.
And Howe refused to dwell on his choice to not begin the towering Woltemade on Thursday night time.
“I am unable to reside in that world,” he mentioned. “I’ve to make choices for the good thing about the gamers generally.
“It was a extremely tough one for Nick. Any participant would wish to begin the sport, however I’ve received to attempt to handle him into the staff and take a look at and ensure he stays match. That was all the time on the coronary heart of this choice.”
Howe, consequently, recalled Gordon, who’s at present serving a three-match home ban.
The fast Anthony Elanga additionally got here into the aspect rather than Jacob Murphy, who’s nursing an Achilles difficulty, in a bid to attempt to exploit the area behind Barcelona’s excessive line.
Elanga and Gordon very almost linked up within the opening phases.
Nonetheless, Gordon couldn’t join with Elanga’s pullback earlier than Harvey Barnes noticed a curling effort comfortably saved by goalkeeper Joan Garcia only a few minutes later.
Barnes then had an enormous alternative to open the scoring halfway by means of the primary half after the full of life Elanga slid the ball throughout to the again put up however the ahead may solely hearth straight at Garcia.
It introduced again reminiscences of the opening weeks of the season, when Newcastle fired blanks in opposition to Aston Villa and Leeds United.
No marvel Howe had his arms on his head on the touchline at one level.
In a sport like this, Newcastle needed to be ruthless in entrance of objective – 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’ll must be scientific.
Beginning with the journey to Brussels to face Union Saint-Gilloise subsequent month.
“There was no missing by way of coronary heart and braveness,” Howe mentioned. “We might be important of a few issues we may have achieved higher however, in the end, we are going to analyse it, attempt to enhance and attempt to develop from this expertise.”
