EDDIE Howe believes Anthony Gordon's decision to sign a new contract is evidence that Newcastle United are still heading in the right direction on the back of a difficult summer - and he thinks there's even more to come from the England star on Tyneside.

Gordon confirmed over the weekend that he's close to putting pen to paper on a new deal at St James' Park, saying: "I don't need any persuading to stay here. I've been excited to sign the contract for a long time."

It follows an uncertain summer in which Gordon was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool as Newcastle battled to beat the PSR deadline.

But Howe says the story was "slightly overblown" at the time and he's never doubted Gordon's commitment to the Newcastle cause.

Gordon endured something of a slow start to the Premier League season but Howe says that was down to fitness and the fact he was playing catch-up after his summer away with England rather than any knock-on effect from the summer speculation.

And Newcastle's boss is thrilled that Newcastle will be able to draw a line under the SUMMER situation when Gordon's new deal is confirmed - a move that he says is a statement of United's ambition.

"It's hugely important. I've said many times how important it is that we keep our current players fulfilled, happy, and we can do that in a number of ways," said Howe.

"The main way for me is to keep progressing and improving, and the ambition of the club remains really strong. I think if players can see that they will commit their futures because they feel we're going in the right direction as a club.

"Anthony's best years are ahead of him. He proved again on Saturday (against Manchester City) how good he is and how good he can be. I still feel there is more to come.

"He also has the versatility. That ability to play different attacking roles can only serve us well with the small squad that we have so I was delighted with him. I was delighted with the love that he got from the supporters. That feeling and bond is so important so a really big thank you to them for that."

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Howe says keeping players like Gordon will help Newcastle attract more stars in future transfer windows.

He said: "Players need to feel that we are continually improving in a league that's always improving and never standing still so that's certainly something for us to think about and consider as we continue through different transfer windows."

With Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson sidelined, Gordon led the line for Newcastle against City and shone. Gordon's versatility is a useful tool for Howe, but Newcastle's boss isn't planning a full-time position switch for the former Everton forward.

He said: "I'd probably still say that his best position is as a left-winger currently, but he can and does have the ability to play different roles.

"No.9 is one of them and he can play that very, very well but it is different for him.

"There were a few moments on Saturday where he is receiving the ball totally square with his back to goal, which is a totally different skill to receiving the ball side on like he does as a winger.

"You would need work and time to develop those skills, which I'm sure that he could if he trained there on a consistent basis.

"I think he has so many great skills as a winger, his ability to play one-versus-one, his decision making in wide areas is as good as there is in the Premier League in my opinion, so you've got to be careful before changing that too much."