Newcastle United issue Alexander Isak fitness update - and drop Callum Wilson hint

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is getting sharper as the weeks go by following his comeback from a thigh injury.

The club’s £60million record transfer signing had been on the sidelines for three months before making his long-awaited return against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

Isak played the first half at Hillsborough, and added another 15 minutes to his tank during Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over Leicester City.

And after another positive week of training, the 23-year-old is eyeing more minutes during tomorrow’s Premier League tie at home to Fulham.

Head coach Eddie Howe said: “He’s responded very well physically, there have no ill effects. He’s trained well this week off the back of that cameo.

“We have to be very careful with him, just because of the length of time he’d been out and the type of injury he had.

“He’s done all the work, looked in good condition. He looks confident and is very keen to be involved but we need him for the long-term.

“It’s great to have very strong choices in the centre forward unit at the moment.”

For the first time since Isak arrived at St James’ Park from Real Sociedad in the summer, Howe had both Callum Wilson and the Sweden international at his disposal against Leicester in midweek.

Isak was brought on for Wilson - but could we see the pair play together in the near future.

“Of course,” said Howe when asked that very question.

“I have to evaluate every game and situation that we face and try and balance the fact you potentially want two attackers on the pitch but you don’t want to damage the balance of the team.

“They’re two outstanding players in their own right. The game the other day, I decided to replace Callum as we nurse him back from illness. I thought Callum and Alex did well, both players are looking good.”