'I wouldn't say' - Newcastle United boss makes surprise Alexander Isak fitness claim

Eddie Howe backed Newcastle United star Alexander Isak to achieve great things in his career after the Swede scored his 14th goal of the season during the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday night.

The 24-year-old has once again drawn comparisons to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry after his classy finish made it 1-1 at St James' Park before Anthony Gordon put Newcastle ahead. Late goals from substitutes Kevin de Bruyne and Oscar Bobb inflicted a fourth straight Premier League defeat on the Magpies but Isak still walked away with plenty of praise.

And excitingly, Howe believes there is still more to come from the striker, who he admits isn't yet 100 per-cent fit following a recent groin issue.

Howe said: "He can go on, I think, to achieve incredible things in his career. He's got so much more to offer.

“He's probably getting back to 100 per cent fit – I wouldn't say he's totally there yet. He's had his own injury troubles this season, but the last two performances and the goals that he's scored offers a glimpse, really, of his capabilities.

“He is really the all-round striker, in my opinion."

The Magpies' boss added: “Alex is an outstanding individual. His goal was of the highest level, and I thought his energy and his overall performance was outstanding. I thought he was a constant menace. He showed his ability to run, he showed his ability to link play and he showed his ability to finish.

"I’m just disappointed that we couldn’t get him into more dangerous situations in that second half because he could have made the difference for us."