EDDIE HOWE was pleased with Anthony Gordon’s impact on his Newcastle United debut against West Ham yesterday – but is confident the January signing will benefit from a full week’s training with his new team-mates this week.

Gordon was a 69th-minute substitute in the Magpies’ 1-1 draw with the Hammers, and almost made an instant impact as he produced a superb through ball to release Callum Wilson, only for Nayef Aguerd to make a brilliant last-ditch tackle that prevented the Newcastle striker from getting a shot away.

Having only completed his £45m move from Everton at the start of last week, Gordon did not have the opportunity to take part in any full-team training sessions ahead of yesterday’s game as Newcastle’s week was interrupted by their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Southampton.

There is no midweek game ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, and Howe is confident Gordon will benefit from being able to spend time on the pitch with the rest of Newcastle’s first-team squad.

The Magpies boss said: “I was very pleased with him (Gordon). Your first action here at St James’ Park is important. I think his first pass was a brilliant one, and he injected some life into us at a time when we needed it in the game.

“I’m disappointed for him that we couldn’t get him in the box and see what he can do closer to goal, but he did really well when he came on.

“I don’t think there’s necessarily a limit (on what he can do straightaway), but I think he will benefit so much from training with us. This week, the training he has had has been more individual based than training with the team, and that makes it very difficult to build relationships within the team.

“He will have benefited from his little cameo, which was really positive, and next week he will train fully with the team as we prepare for Bournemouth.”