“Trouble Looms”- Eddie Howe now shares Alexander Isak injury update ahead of Newcastle’s game against Fulham
Newcastle United are facing a new injury worry ahead of their upcoming clash against Fulham, following their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
The Magpies once again weren’t at their fluent best, but they managed to secure all three points. Despite falling behind, Newcastle found the resolve to come from behind and claim a 2-1 win against Wolves. The match-winner was Harvey Barnes, whose stunning long-range strike sealed the victory after the winger was introduced at halftime in place of striker Alexander Isak.
Isak, who started brightly, gradually became isolated as the game progressed, struggling to influence the play as Newcastle lost control in the first half. Despite his quiet performance, the decision to replace the Swedish striker wasn’t purely tactical—it was enforced by an unfortunate incident just before halftime.
Why Alexander Isak Was Substituted During the Win Against Wolves
In the dying moments of the first half, Isak was struck in the face by the ball while trying to close down Wolves’ defender Craig Dawson. As Dawson attempted to clear the ball, it deflected off Isak’s face, leaving the forward down on the pitch and requiring treatment from Newcastle’s medical staff. Although there was initial concern, Isak was able to walk off, but his absence in the second half left fans wondering about his condition.
When the second half kicked off, Isak did not return to the field, with Eddie Howe later confirming that the striker had sustained an issue with his eye.
### Eddie Howe’s Update on Isak’s Injury
After the game, Newcastle’s head coach Eddie Howe provided an update on Isak’s situation. Speaking to the club’s official app, Howe admitted that he wasn’t entirely sure of the specifics of the injury but acknowledged that the striker had been struck in the face, leading to impaired vision.
“I don’t know the exact details but I think he took a ball to the face and his vision was slightly impaired,” Howe explained. “So it’s something we’ll look at. We hope it’s not serious but we don’t know yet.”
This injury scare has raised concerns about whether Isak will be fit in time for Newcastle’s next Premier League fixture against Fulham.
Newcastle’s Striker Dilemma if Isak is Unavailable
If Isak’s vision issue doesn’t improve in time for the Fulham game, it could pose a significant headache for Eddie Howe. The Magpies are already dealing with a thin squad upfront, as fellow striker Callum Wilson is still sidelined with a back injury. There were hopes that Wilson would return to training by now, but unfortunately, the 32-year-old has experienced setbacks in his recovery, leaving Newcastle short on attacking options.
One player who could step in is recent signing Will Osula. The 19-year-old forward arrived at St James’ Park from Sheffield United for £10 million but is yet to make his competitive debut for the club. While Osula has shown potential in training, it appears that Howe isn’t yet ready to trust the young striker in a Premier League match, especially without giving him any prior substitute appearances. His lack of minutes suggests he may not be an immediate solution to Newcastle’s striker shortage.
In light of this, the most likely option for Howe would be to deploy Anthony Gordon as the central forward, just as he did in the second half against Wolves. This tactical switch allowed Barnes to operate from his favored left-wing position, a move that ultimately paid dividends with the Englishman scoring the decisive goal.
### Newcastle Hoping for Positive News on Isak
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Isak’s availability, there is cautious optimism within the Newcastle camp that the injury will not keep the Swede out for long. Howe remains hopeful that Isak will recover in time for the Fulham match, but as of now, there has been no official confirmation. The club’s medical team will continue to assess the situation, and further evaluations will determine whether the 24-year-old can make the trip to Craven Cottage.
With Newcastle preparing for a tricky away fixture, the importance of having their key players fit cannot be overstated. If Isak is ruled out, Howe will have a difficult decision to make regarding the team’s attacking setup. The hope is that the injury is not serious, and Isak will return to lead the line against Fulham. However, with Wilson still recovering, the Magpies may have to rely on creative solutions to maintain their attacking threat in the Premier League.