'No doubt' - Newcastle United £83m duo ruled out of 12 games as Alan Shearer reacts

The Magpies have been without both strikers for the last three matches with Isak suffering from a broken toe and Wilson sidelined since pre-season with a back injury.

United looked to have found their third choice option in the summer when they signed Will Osula in a deal worth £15million from Sheffield United, however he is yet to start in the Premier League and has only made it off the bench once.

Osula played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup but Eddie Howe is reluctant to expose him to league action, instead choosing Anthony Gordon as the team’s central striker for draws against Manchester City and Everton.

Gordon could again lead the line for the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion to St James’ Park on Saturday, although it is hoped both Isak and Wilson will be back. However, it is a situation Shearer believes Newcastle can’t allow to keep on happening.

“I like Anthony Gordon, and he has covered the centre forward position well when asked to do so,” Shearer told Betfair. “His willingness to play in that position offers a different problem for opponents.

“He’s not a centre forward, though, he’s more of a wide forward whereas Isak and Wilson come alive in the box, and Newcastle need to get them back in the side.

“Isak and Wilson are both close to a return for Newcastle this weekend, and for Wilson specifically, this back & forth with the treatment table has been his career. He’s had a period through most seasons where he’s been out injured, which is frustrating for him and for whichever club he’s been at.

“Isak has been at Newcastle a couple of years now and he’s done well, but there have been times where Newcastle have missed both him and Callum, and that’s the frustrating thing for Eddie Howe.”

Since the beginning of last season, United have been without Isak and Wilson for five games - and won zero.

Shearer continued: “I understand how hard it is and in an ideal world you don’t want any injuries, but the less games you miss, the better it is for everyone, so we need Isak to stay fit for as long as he can now.

“There’s no doubt Newcastle missed them both in their last game at Everton - their great work was getting into the final third, but once they were in the final third, they were really poor.

“That’s understandable when you’re playing without those two, but there’s no doubt Newcastle need to sign another forward when they can due to the games they are missing.”