Key Newcastle United duo ‘missing’ from training as ex-Liverpool youngster earns rare call-up

Eddie Howe is preparing his Newcastle United players for Saturday night’s Premier League clash away to Bournemouth (kick-off 5:30pm).

Training footage was released by the Magpies’ media team on Wednesday afternoon - and here’s what we noticed:

Alexander Isak trains after missing West Ham

Club-record signing Alexander Isak is set to return to the matchday squad for the visit to Bournemouth after missing Saturday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham United.

The 23-year-old withdrew with a head injury four days earlier during the Carabao Cup semi-final win over Southampton after he blocked James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick.

Due to concussion protocols, Howe had to be without Isak last weekend but, as expected, welcomes him back ahead of the long trip to his former stomping ground.

Howe said after West Ham: “Unfortunately we had to follow concussion protocols with him,” Howe said. “Immediately after the game we knew we would be without him today. It was a big blow for us.

“He’s looked so good when he’s come onto the pitch in recent weeks. He feels good, there’s no issue with him. I’m sure he’ll be fine for next week.”

Fabian Schar or Joe Willock not spotted in footage

Neither Fabian Schar or Joe Willock were spotted in the five-minute-long video, although Schar was later pictured in a training gallery released by the club’s media team on Wednesday evening.

The Switzerland international’s absence isn’t unusual, with the 31-year-old often the recipient of a number of bumps and bruises during matches. Schar has previously nursed some issues.

United are short of midfielders following Jonjo Shelvey’s deadline day exit and Bruno Guimaraes’ suspension, so Newcastle won’t want to risk losing former Arsenal man Willock for a period of time.

Meanwhile, Matt Targett is back on the grass but is yet to resume full training as he continues his recovery from a heel injury. Javier Manquillo is also building towards a return after travelling to Spain last week to get injections into his knee.

There was also no Emil Krafth, who is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign through the ACL injury he sustained in August.

Former Liverpool youngster called up

Newcastle under-21s centre-back Remi Savage was called-up to first-team training, and quickly got chatting to fellow Liverpudlian Anthony Gordon.

The 21-year-old joined the Magpies on a three-year contract in 2021 after leaving his boyhood club Liverpool, where he’d been since the age of five.

Savage has spent all his playing time in the club’s second string, even sometimes captaining the side, but is yet to make a senior appearance for Newcastle.

Newcastle’s media team released a training gallery on Wednesday night with Jamie and Lewis Miley, plus Amadou Diallo, who joined from West Ham last year, pictured.

The new boys join in full training

Howe revealed last week that new signings Gordon and Harrison Ashby hadn’t trained with the group due to the preparation and recovery that came with the Southampton cup tie, but both have this week, and seem to be getting along with their new teammates.

After an encouraging 20-minute cameo appearance against West Ham, Gordon is pushing for his first Magpies start on the South Coast.

“I don’t think there is necessarily a limit on him but I think he will benefit so much from training with us when you consider this week and the training he’s had has been more individual-based rather than team-based and that’s very difficult to build relationships with the team,” Howe said.

“He will have benefitted from his little cameo, which was really positive, and next week will train fully with the team as we prepare for Bournemouth.” 

Ashby wasn’t included in the squad for the visit of his former club. Whether or he makes the trip to Bournemouth remains to be seen with Howe hinting that the right-back is more of one for the future.