Slot admits Isak fitness worry after injury setback
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has expressed concern over the fitness of forward Alexander Isak after the Sweden international suffered a fresh injury setback ahead of the club’s upcoming fixtures.
The 25-year-old striker, who has been instrumental in Newcastle’s attack this season, was withdrawn during training earlier this week with a recurrence of a groin issue that previously sidelined him in September. Howe confirmed that the club’s medical team will continue to assess the player, but admitted that Isak remains a doubt for the next Premier League match.
“It’s frustrating for Alex because he’s worked hard to get back to full fitness,” Howe said on Thursday. “We need to be cautious with him and make sure we don’t rush anything.”
Isak has scored six goals in nine league appearances this campaign, underlining his growing importance to Newcastle’s forward line. His pace, movement, and clinical finishing have been central to Howe’s system, particularly with fellow attackers Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes also managing fitness concerns.
The injury comes at a difficult time for Newcastle, who are balancing domestic and European commitments. Howe has relied heavily on Isak’s versatility and composure in front of goal, making his potential absence a significant setback as the club seeks to maintain momentum in both competitions.
Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 for a club-record fee reported to be around £63 million. Despite intermittent injuries since his arrival, he has impressed with his technical ability and intelligence in attack, quickly becoming one of the Premier League’s most promising forwards.
Newcastle will hope to have Isak back fit soon as they navigate a demanding schedule that includes league, cup, and continental fixtures, with Howe emphasizing the need to manage workloads across his squad.