Alexander Isak is an injury doubt for Newcastle’s game against Fulham this weekend (Picture: Getty)
Alexander Isak is an injury doubt for Newcastle game against Fulham this weekend after the striker suffered a fresh setback.
The Sweden international was forced off at half-time with a facial injury during last weekend’s comeback win over Wolves.
Isak sustained swelling around the eye but had been hoping to feature against the Cottagers.
According to the Daily Mail, however, the 24-year-old has suffered a toe injury that could yet see him miss the trip to Craven Cottage.
With Callum Wilson still out of action, Eddie Howe is short on options and is likely to deploy Anthony Gordon at centre forward with the matchwinner at Molineux, Harvey Barnes, on the wing.
Newcastle did spend £10 million on William Osula in the summer, but he is yet to be used by Howe.
Club legend, Alan Shearer, meanwhile, believes it is high time Barnes is given an opportunity and a long run in the starting XI.
Alexander Isak is a doubt for Newcastle’s next game with a toe injury (Picture: Getty)
He told Betfair: ‘Newcastle won yet again thanks to a superb strike from Harvey Barnes. There has never been a doubt of the talent there, and if Barnes can stay clear of injuries, then I’m pretty sure Eddie Howe would look to shift Gordon to the right and play Barnes on the left, with Isak down the middle.
‘You’ve even got Joe Willock who can play on the left as well because he adds a different dimension. It’s great for Eddie Howe to have those options.
‘Newcastle did well in the opening 20 minutes against Wolves, but the manager didn’t like what he saw in the rest of the first half, and he made three changes at half-time. When you make those changes, you’re doing it because you want them to come in and affect the game, and that’s exactly what the substitutes did, so credit to Eddie for that.
Harvey Barnes was Newcastle’s matchwinner against Wolves (Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
‘Harvey Barnes’ goal was unbelievable. It opened up really, really nicely, inviting him to attack the space and curl it in with his right foot. The bend he put on it meant the goalkeeper had no chance.
‘He just needs to stay fit and what that then does is say to the manager, you’ve got a decision to make.
‘Eddie asked him to come on and change the game, and Harvey did exactly that, so when this weekend’s team sheet goes in, you’d hope that, if he’s not on it, he’s got every right to go and bang on the manager’s door.;