Newcastle United consult with medics over Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak’s fitness

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has explained his “tough” decision to start Alexander Isak ahead of Callum Wilson against Brentford.

Wilson was recalled to the starting XI at West Ham United on Wednesday and scored a brace in a 5-1 win. Isak had started the last three matches and came off the bench to also score at the London Stadium.

It left Howe with a big selection headache, and he opted for Isak after consulting with the club’s medical team.

“I had discussions with the medical team and sports scientists and viewed the players’ load, and tried to get a decision based on all that information,” Howe told NewcastleWorld.

“ It was a tough call because, as you saw today, they’re two top-quality players. Can they play together every week? Probably not tactically from our perspective. But can they play together in a game like today? Absolutely.”

With United trailing 1-0 at the break following Ivan Toney’s penalty, Howe changed his formation for the second-half - and fielded Wilson and Isak together.

An own goal by Bees goalkeeper David Raya levelled the scores before Wilson and Isak combined for what proved to be the winner on the hour-mark.

“The thinking behind getting Alex and Callum together was pretty obvious really – I just think we needed more of a focal point in the game,” Howe said. “We needed the ability to run in behind because, for whatever reason, that wasn’t happening in the first half.

“That was the thinking behind putting those two players together, and I have to say, I thought they linked so well. They really combined together and gave us a totally different look.

“Anthony [Gordon] on the right-hand side, his job was to keep his width a little bit more and use his pace. I thought he linked really well with Kieran [Trippier], so we began to put crosses into the box and ask them questions, which hadn’t happened in that first half.”

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