Striker Alexander Isak is likely to be fit for Newcastle’s home game against Wolves tomorrow night.
The Sweden international missed Sunday’s FA Cup win over Bromley after suffering a minor hamstring problem in the 2-0 EFL Cup win at Arsenal last week.
Isak has scored in seven successive Premier League games, helping Newcastle rise to fifth in the table, and head coach Eddie Howe is confident he will have his star man available.
Howe said: “Of course he will be desperate to play. Those [goalscoring] races that I’m not too focused on and don’t care too much about, but I understand that individuals will care deeply about them and I would love for Alex to keep scoring. I think the most important thing for me is that the team works well for him and he works well for the team. The two things go hand in hand.
“He will be there or thereabouts. We haven’t seen him practice yet, but we’re crossing our fingers that he is. [available]. We have to be careful, of course, but that’s why I did what I did against Arsenal, to try to protect him and make sure we don’t lose him. He’s such a valuable player for us. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes well, he’ll be fine and he’ll take his place in the team.
Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak:
“He will be desperate to play, of course. I would like Alex to continue scoring, but the most important thing for me is that the team works well for him and he works well for the team. The two go hand in hand. We felt like we were scoring goals… pic.twitter.com/w1ev2vNP7Y
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 14, 2025
The key trio will also be likely to feature
Sven Botman, Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock are also expected to return.
“We will look at them again today,” Howe added. “They were left behind [against Bromley] with real reasons, all different things, but nothing major we hope. So minor problems that needed to be resolved. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that they’re there or thereabouts.
Barnes Kick
There was less positive news surrounding winger Harvey Barnes, who is expected to miss around four weeks after injuring a thigh muscle against the League Two side.
“Harvey will be missing for a while,” Howe said. “We don’t think it’s a serious injury, but it will be enough to keep him out for a few weeks. I think we’re probably looking for about a month. Don’t put me on this, but that’s sort of the first assessment.
“He had a scan. Like I said, it’s not too bad, but it will be enough to keep him out. It’s a thigh injury, a thigh muscle. He did so by crossing a ball just towards the end of the first half. He felt like he could continue until halftime, but then it became clear at halftime that he wouldn’t be able to come out for the second half.
