Newcastle United name Alexander Isak alternative amid injury concern ahead of Brighton

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson made his first Premier League start of the season in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool.

A groin injury ruled top scorer Alexander Isak out of the visit to Anfield, with Wilson selected as the Swede’s replacement ahead of summer signing Will Osula.

While it was an evening of very few chances for Newcastle, Wilson did squander a big one when he latched onto a pass from Dan Burn to go one-on-one with Reds goalkeeper Alisson. The 32-year-old, however, failed to hit the target, disappointingly aiming his shot wide.

Wilson took a heavy blow to the face at the beginning of the second half after clashing heads with Virgil van Dijk but managed to get through 70 minutes before being withdrawn shortly after Alexis Mac Allister made it 2-0.

Reflecting on Wilson’s display, United boss Eddie Howe said: “Yes, I think he's fine, I think he'll be pleased with his performance. We envisaged him playing around 60 minutes.

“I thought he led the line well, it was a typical Callum performance, he'd be disappointed not to score because he always wants to score. But considering he's had such a lack of football and a lack of minutes, I thought he did really well.”

Will Callum Wilson start against Brighton & Hove Albion?

Newcastle host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday and Wilson is expected to retain his place, unless Isak is deemed fit enough to return.

Providing an update on Isak after the game, Howe said: “It goes without saying how important he is to us and I think you could see that today, I thought we missed him.

“It was a late decision around midday today that he just didn't feel right in his groin, so we didn't want to take the risk, we've got too many big games to come.”

Wilson was supported by Anthony Gordon in what often looked like a front two at Anfield. The same tactic could be deployed versus Brighton but again, that will depend on Isak’s fitness.

Howe continued: “That meant a tactical reshuffle, so we changed things around.

“We brought Callum in, played a different way and I thought our system looked good, I thought our shape looked good, I had no issues with that.

“No issues with the effort levels, the commitment was there, which was much improved from Manchester City, just our quality was missing.”