Swedish FA issue official update on Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak after injury concern
Swedish FA issue update on Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been named in Sweden’s squad for their June friendlies against Hungary and Algeria.
And Newcastle fans are hoping that means their top goalscorer is available to feature in the final game of the 2024-25 Premier League season against Everton on Sunday.
Isak missed the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal last Sunday, despite travelling with his teammates to North London. But whilst at the team hotel, Isak felt some discomfort in his groin and was immediately sent for a scan.
Eddie Howe provides Alexander Isak injury update
As a result, the 25-year-old was left out of the matchday squad entirely and Callum Wilson was brought in to lead the line at the Emirates. Asked for an update on Isak after the game, Eddie Howe said he was unsure if he would be back in time for Everton after the scan showed inflammation.
Howe said: “Yeah, that's unknown. I don't know at this moment in time. He only felt pain really after training. He felt fine during training and then just a bit of stiffness, so he went for a scan this morning [Sunday], purely as a precaution.
“But then it became obvious he wasn't going to be fit to play. So I don't know. I think a lot will depend on how he reacts in the next few days.”
Isak has had a history of minor groin issues, first dating back to last season. Prior to Arsenal, he missed the 2-0 defeat away to Liverpool in February, though he quickly returned to score in the Magpies’ 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over the Reds at Wembley.
That has led to suggestions Isak could require surgery in the summer, however Howe doesn’t believe that to be the case.
He said: “I don't think this is a surgery issue. I don't think it's something that needs mending. It certainly probably needs looking at as to why he's getting these sort of groin complaints. But yeah, it's definitely not a surgery issue.
“It's probably more of a what's he doing to strengthen that area issue, which we'll of course look at and focus on.”
Alexander Isak called up to Sweden squad
Newcastle haven’t provided an update on Isak since last weekend. That is set to come when Howe speaks to the media on Friday ahead of the final day game against Everton.
But in the meantime, the Swedish FA’s announcement on Wednesday has given some encouragement that Isak will be available after he was named in the national team squad for friendlies against Hungary and Algeria on June 6 and June 10, respectively.
There is, of course, the possibility that Isak can withdraw from Jon Dahl Tomasson’s squad but Newcastle supporters hope it means his groin problem isn’t too serious.
Newcastle must beat Everton to guarantee Champions League qualification. Anything less will force them to rely on results elsewhere.