A big injury development has emerged for Newcastle United ahead of their clash with AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League this evening…
What’s the latest on Alexader Isak’s fitness?
Magpies boss Eddie Howe has revealed that Swedish international Alexander Isak will be available for selection against the Cherries after recovering from a head injury.
The club’s official Twitter account quoted the manager as saying:
“He will be in the squad. He’s fully recovered with no problems. Initially, he got hit on the head and he didn’t feel too bad but we had to follow protocols. He’s been good this week.”
Isak was missing from the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw with West Ham United last time out in the top-flight due to concussion protocols after being hit in the face by a strike from James Ward-Prowse against Southampton in the EFL Cup.
It’s a big boost for Eddie Howe
The former Real Sociedad gem’s return to availability is a big boost for the Toon head coach as the summer signing has shown that he has the quality to be a difference-maker off the bench.
In his last four appearances for Newcastle, the striker has played a total of 91 minutes as a substitute and produced one goal and one assist in that time – winning a Premier League clash against Fulham and assisting the winner against the Saints in the cup.
The 23-year-old has been coming off the bench to make game-changing contributions, rather than padding the score in comprehensive victories, and that is why he is a valuable member of the squad to have fit for this clash with Bournemouth because it shows that the dynamo can produce in high-pressure situations.
If the Magpies are still searching for a goal, whether that be an equaliser or a winner, with 20 or 25 minutes left to play then they would know that they have Isak in reserve to come on and make a difference at the top end of the pitch.
The number 14 also showcased his quality as a starter earlier this season by scoring twice in his first three starts for the club in the Premier League – finding the back of the net against Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Without the forward, Howe did not have any strikers to come on in place of Callum Wilson against the Hammers – after allowing Chris Wood to join Nottingham Forest – and this meant that the England international needed to play the full 90 minutes.
The former Bournemouth centre-forward has missed 32 matches due to injury or illness since the start of last season and this suggests that Newcastle need to manage his minutes carefully to avoid any further long-term lay-offs, which is another reason why having Isak available as an alternative to him is a boost for the manager.