‘I need to clear this up’ - Eddie Howe issues huge Newcastle United update on Alexander Isak

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has clarified his pre-match comments regarding Alexander Isak’s fitness.

The Swede started and scored the opener during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Wolves - just over 48 hours after Howe said Isak wasn’t fit enough to play a full 90 minutes.

That is not a reflection of Isak, who missed three months of the campaign with a thigh injury, but more the Magpies’ style of play - according to Howe.

“He’s fit to play 90 minutes for another team,” said Howe. “There’s no concern over his fitness.

“I need to clear this up: it’s fit to play 90 minutes how I want him to play and what I demand from my players. That’s no slight on him, that’s just him adjusting to the league and to my style of play.

“He is very, very fit and he’s got a little bit more to go to be 90-minute fit for us, but that’s because we demand so much from our players. That’s no slight on him at all.”

Isak’s start against Wolves was just his seventh for Newcastle following his £60million club-record move from Real Sociedad last summer.

The 23-year-old does, however, boost an impressive goal record of four Premier League goals in just 532 minutes this season.

“It was great to play Alex from the start, I think he’s deserved that, not just for how he’s played in recent weeks but also for how he’s trained,” said Howe. “I thought he was especially good this week, and he carried that form into the game.

“I thought he was very impressive and showed what his game is all about with his pace and technique. The goal is a traditional Newcastle number nine finish and I’m delighted he scored that type of goal.

“Hopefully, that’s the start of a really good spell for him.”