‘Naturally disappointed’ - Newcastle United provide Alexander Isak injury update

Eddie Howe hopes to have Alexander Isak back fit for Newcastle United’s mini pre-season. Although the Premier League campaign pauses for the Qatar World Cup, Howe has arranged two friendlies to help maintain his squad’s fitness.

The Magpies travel to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp between December 4 and 10 and as part of the visit will play a friendly against Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal.

United then host La Liga side Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, December 17 at St James’ Park before resuming their competitive season against Leicester City on Boxing Day, where Isak is expected to return

Alexander Isak injury latest

“We would hope he would,” said Howe when asked if Isak will feature in the friendlies. “He’s in the early stages of his injury now. He’s had two injections, I believe, into the thigh. I think he was given around a five-week diagnosis but these things can change with muscle injuries.

“We’re taking it slowly with him because there is no need to rush him initlaly, giving him a little bit more time to recover. We hope when we start training again he’ll join in with the group.”

The Sweden international scored two goals, both against Liverpool and Bournemouth, in his opening three games following his £58million club-record move for Real Sociedad. However, the 22-year-old has been sidelined since mid-September with a thigh problem.

Isak sustained the injury on international duty and just when he was closing in on a return, the issue re-ocurred.

“I’d say he is naturally disappointed,” Howe said. “When you come to a new club you want to make an instant impression and to be fair to him he did in the Liverpool game, the Crystal Palace game and obviously he scored against Bournemouth. He did make that impression but I think he just wanted that to last longer.

“He had a feel of the Premier League and he loved it. It’s very difficult when you come to a new club and you’re injured and out for a sustained period like he has been. We’ve just tried to support him and now we’ll look to get him back as quickly as possible.