Alexander Isak injury doubt with Newcastle United duo set to sit out Al-Hilal tie

Newcastle United injury latest via Eddie Howe - including an update on Alexander Isak.
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Alexander Isak will miss Newcastle United’s mid-season friendlies against Al-Hilal and Rayo Vallecano - and there’s a possibility he won’t return in time for the season restart.

The Magpies’ £58million striker, who scored two goals in his opening three appearances following his summer arrival from Real Sociedad, hasn’t featured since September after picking up a thigh injury.

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Isak has travelled to Saudi Arabia with his teammates but is yet to resume full training. The 23-year-old won’t take part versus Al Hilal on Thursday and Vallecano next Saturday, and there’s a chance Bournemouth and Leicester City could come too soon.

Howe told reporters in Riyadh: “He’s doing well. This was the plan. We didn’t expect him to train with the group when we first started training so he’s with the sports scientist team and physios.

“We are building him up in a controlled way and we expect him to be very close for Bournemouth or Leicester, we’re not sure if he’ll be fit or available for those games yet.”

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Asked about the two friendlies, Howe added: “I don’t expect him to feature in those games. We’ll try and get him fit for Bournemouth or Leicester but we’ll have to see how it goes.

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“There’s no setback. There was an initial setback when he re-injured his thigh and as a consequence of that we just want to make sure we get him fully fit.”

Meanwhile, Paul Dummett has picked up a fresh injury, while Matt Ritchie is closing in on a return from a calf problem.

“He’s still working towards full fitness,” Howe said. “Initially, he had a calf problem, but now he’s got a slight back problem. We don’t think it’s nothing serious at this stage but he’s not with the main group.”

Newcastle United left-back Paul Dummett.  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Newcastle United left-back Paul Dummett.  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Newcastle United left-back Paul Dummett. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

On Ritchie, Howe added: “Matty is working very hard, he’s very close. We expect him to train, hopefully in the next couple of days.”

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Emil Krafth has linked up with the squad on the trip to Riyadh in his long recovery from an ACL injury.

“We think it’s really important that when we do take the team away, we try and take as many people as we can and that includes staff and players,” Howe said.

“Emil, yes, is going to be injured for the majority of the season if not all of it but we still feel it is important for his mental health and wellbeing that he’s with us. He feel part of the group, I’d say our medical team are very good at that, it’s been great to see him.

“He’s been close to the pitch, the gym is situated right next to it. You feel that little bit closer and a little bit more part of things. Emil, being the top professional he is, he’s working very hard on his rehab.”