According to a report by Dominic Scurr of The Shields Gazette citing NUFC manager Eddie Howe, Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak will continue to be sidelined for the team’s upcoming “couple of games” due to an injury. Howe emphasized that Isak was “not close” to being fit for last Saturday’s Premier League clash against Luton Town, which ended in a 4-4 draw at St James’ Park. Isak is expected to be out for a few weeks before returning to action.
This cautious approach seems prudent for the Magpies, given the limited depth across the squad. It’s wiser to prioritize his recovery and avoid any potential setbacks.
Isak sustained the injury during the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at the end of January, being substituted off the pitch immediately after. Initial reports suggested a recovery period of two to four weeks, but Howe’s recent update indicates that Isak should only miss a couple of games.
Newcastle’s assistant manager, Jason Tindall, suggested that Alexander Isak might have been available for the Saturday match against Luton under different circumstances, such as if it were a more critical fixture like the FA Cup final, rather than a game against a team facing relegation in the Premier League.
Despite Anthony Gordon, another forward, suffering an injury and being substituted at halftime, Isak didn’t feature in the Luton match. Manager Eddie Howe, addressing the media post-game, stated that Isak “wasn’t close” to playing but reassured fans that the injury wasn’t deemed serious. Nonetheless, Howe acknowledged that it might sideline Isak for a couple of games, expressing hope for a swift recovery.
Howe elaborated on Isak’s injury, describing it as a slight groin issue, while emphasizing that it didn’t appear to be too severe. However, the timeline for Isak’s return remained uncertain.
In addition to Isak, Newcastle faces uncertainty regarding Gordon’s injury and return to play. Gordon departed the Luton match with a twisted ankle, later seen using crutches and wearing a walking boot, potentially indicating a few weeks out of action, further adding to the team’s injury woes.
Howe expressed concern about Gordon’s injury immediately after the Luton game, admitting uncertainty about its severity but noting that it was significant enough for Gordon to request substitution. He emphasized that Gordon understood he couldn’t continue playing.