Alexander Isak is a major doubt for Newcastle’s visit of Manchester City after scans revealed a broken toe.
Mail Sport reported last week that the Swede was struggling with a fresh toe complaint and that a late call would be made on his participation at Fulham. He then played the full game during a 3-1 defeat but felt pain in the area.
Isak has not trained so far this week and Eddie Howe says a decision needs to be made on whether to risk the striker’s long-term health.
‘He’s had scans and lots of tests,’ said Howe. ‘The injury has been diagnosed fine – it sounds worse than it is, but he’s got a broken toe.
‘It’s one that can be managed and played with, provided he can tolerate the pain levels, and that will have no long-term risks. He had an injection to numb the pain, and that was fine until the injection wore off (at Fulham).’
Alexander Isak is a major doubt for Newcastle’s clash against Manchester City on Saturday
Head coach Eddie Howe has confirmed scans of the striker’s foot revealed a broken toe
Howe added: ‘He’d be a doubt for tomorrow (Man City). He trained last week before the Fulham game on the Friday. He had an injection in his toe to play and he felt fine, but then he started to feel his toe in the last five to 10 minutes of that game.
‘Then after the game it sort of stiffened up and wasn’t in a great place early in the week. He hasn’t trained yet, so we’ll have to make a decision again as to whether he trains today or he misses the game.’
If Isak does miss out – Callum Wilson also remains sidelined – it means Anthony Gordon will deputise at centre-forward.
Howe said: ‘With Anthony, we’ve always viewed him as our third striker in a sense. He’ll play very differently to Callum and Alex because he’s not your out-and-out line leader, but he’s very clever at what he does when he plays in that role.
‘I think he did well against Wolves in the second half, he’s more of a drifter in terms of his position, so he won’t necessarily be the focal point. But he’s certainly got the pace to run in behind and the ability to link play, so he’ll play it slightly looser but can still be very effective.’
Meanwhile, Howe hopes that Gordon puts pen to paper on a new contract, after Mail Sport revealed this week that talks had progressed and an agreement was close.
Isak has not trained this week and Howe said a decision must be made on his long-term health
Anthony Gordon is set to deputise in the No 9 role with Callum Wilson also sidelined
The winger has been unsettled in recent months after the club floated the idea of selling him to Liverpool to solve their PSR issues.
‘We love Anthony. We’d love him to commit his future here. We’d love him to stay long-term at Newcastle and continue his excellent start to his career here,’ he said.
‘When you look at the broader piece of what he’s done since he’s arrived at the football club, I think he’s been magnificent for us. We need to try and help him get back to his very best levels. And if that means signing a new contract, then I’m all for that, to help him be settled and concentrate on his football.’
