Newcastle United dealt fresh injury concern v West Ham as Eddie Howe makes ‘emergency’ sub

Eddie Howe has revealed Alexander Isak picked up an injury during Newcastle United’s 2-2 draw at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

The Sweden international scored twice as the Magpies extended their unbeaten run to seven matches. Tomas Soucek opened the scoring early on before Isak flipped the game on its head midway through the second half.

Substitute Mohammed Kudus equalised for the Hammers in the 89th minute, shortly after Isak was withdrawn and replaced by Callum Wilson, who Howe revealed he only wanted to use in an “emergency” with No.9 only just returning from missing the last three matches.

On Wilson, Howe said: “He couldn’t have started the game and he probably couldn’t have played longer than he did in the end. I really only wanted to use him in an emergency but Alex signalled that he had to come off so it was a natural replacement.

Asked if Isak is OK, Howe replied: “Fingers crossed.”

Reflecting on the result as a whole, Howe said: “A frustrating game for us. Probably a hangover from midweek. A really good response in the second half but we’re frustrated not to get over the line.

“I think we did really well in the second half, showed great character to come back. We took control of the game, caused problems, created chances.

“[Alexander] Isak’s hat-trick opportunity was probably the defining moment. He’s an outstanding player, the first in particular is an outstanding finish. He is unlucky not to score the third but they are the small margins.”