Alexander Isak surgery claim made as Newcastle United star misses eight matches

Newcastle United have been urged to send Alexander Isak for surgery with the Swede currently sidelined with another groin problem.

The 24-year-old missed Saturday afternoon's 4-4 draw against Luton Town at St James' Park after withdrawing in the first-half away to Aston Villa four days earlier. Isak has missed eight matches with the same injury this campaign, including five between October and November, and two in December.

United boss Eddie Howe says Isak's latest complaint "might keep him out for a couple of games". But rather than continue to manage the issue, former West Ham United and Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has called for Isak to undergo surgery if that is what is needed to fix the issue.

“He’s not been at the club for long, but he’s out so often,” McAvennie told Football Insider. “Knowing football clubs, they’ll probably give him injections to keep him fit for the next few months and then give him an operation in the summer. If his injuries are going to keep causing him problems, go and get it done now.

“If he’s back in eight weeks for the final run-in, then that’s what I’d do. Go and get it done. It could hurt him in the long run. Do it for the boy’s sake too because it will do him more damage in the long-term. You don’t want to be getting injuries like this so young and not get them sorted. He will suffer for the rest of his life.”

Isak's expected return date is slightly unclear at the moment. On Saturday, Howe said the striker might miss a couple of matches, which could include the Luton game, meaning Isak would only miss Nottingham Forest this weekend, or it could mean he's out of the AFC Bournemouth fixture too.

Newcastle are also awaiting an update on Anthony Gordon after the winger left St James' Park on crutches and wearing a protected boot after withdrawing at half-time against the Hatters.

The concern surrounding Isak and Gordon comes after Howe welcomed back Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson. Barnes, who spent almost five months out with a toe injury, equalised to make it 4-4 versus Luton.

"It feels like we get one player back and then we lose another one," said Howe. "We've never been able to get to a point where we feel we've got all of our strength returning.

“Today looked like a step forward when we had Callum and Harvey from the bench, and then we lost Anthony."