Eddie Howe has confirmed Newcastle will make a late call on whether or not Alexander Isak will be able to take part in the side’s Premier League clash with Leicester.
Isak, 25, broke the deadlock in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Brentford on Wednesday evening to become the first player in the club’s history to score 20 or more goals in back-to-back Premier League campaigns.
But Isak was forced off with a groin problem in the 66th minute, just moments before Bryan Mbuemo equalised from the spot, putting the Swede’s participation against Leicester in some doubt.
Howe revealed after the midweek clash that Isak had not been ‘100 per cent’ but remained hopeful his star striker would return in time to feature on Monday night at the King Power Stadium.
Isak had also been struggling with a ‘slight groin injury’ at the end of February which meant he missed the Toon’s 2-0 loss away to Liverpool in the Premier League.
Facing the media on Friday morning, Howe said a final decision had not yet been made on Isak and the attacker would be assessed by Newcastle’s medical team over the coming days.
Asked for an update on Isak and Kieran Trippier’s groin injuries, Howe told reporters: ‘Wait and see today, really. Of course, I had medical updates yesterday but I will see them for first time today.
‘Hopefully they are feeling okay.
‘I don’t think we have any big injuries from Wednesday night, but we have certainly got a few niggles so let’s wait and see.’
Last month, Isak was substituted in Newcastle’s FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Brighton – due to ‘fatigue’ and ‘tightness in his body’ – before returning for the club’s historic Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.
The former Real Sociedad forward has started all but three of Newcastle’s matches in the top flight this season, with Howe’s men sitting sixth in the table, two points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Anthony Gordon has missed Newcastle’s last three matches after sustaining a thigh injury during England’s World Cup qualifying win over Albania.
The 24-year-old winger has returned to individual training but appears a certainty to miss the trip to Leicester.
Asked if Gordon had been able to take part in full training, Howe replied: ‘He hasn’t yet. It’s another one we’re monitoring.
‘We think he’s still recovering from a really bad knock he got for England and he’s still got huge bruising on his leg.
‘He’s done individual training. He’s not done group training. He’s still not feeling 100 per cent pain free so, again, let’s wait and see.’
Harvey Barnes has shone in Gordon’s absence and Howe is pleased with the way the former Leicester star has stepped up.
‘When you get your opportunity, you have got to try and take it,’ Howe said on Barnes’ recent performances.
‘You have got to try and grab it and make it impossible for me to take you out.
‘That’s the challenge for Harvey and hopefully he continues to play well.’
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