Alexander Isak injury update as Eddie Howe warns of risk for Newcastle star

Alexander Isak’s groin injury is not serious, but Eddie Howe will not be taking any risks with his in-form striker, confirms the Newcastle manager.

The Swedish star missed the Magpie’s defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, left out of the squad due to the groin issue.

Newcastle host Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday and Howe could not confirm whether the 25-year-old would be involved, but did say he will not be pushing him to return too soon.

‘We’ll see today, I haven’t seen him since the game, so we’ll see how he is today and have a discussion with him I’m sure. We don’t think it’s a long-term problem,’ Howe said of Isak.

‘In part obviously there was no risk taken on Wednesday and there can’t be at this stage of the season’

‘There’s always a risk with any player, even if they’re 100 per cent fit, that’s the world that we’re in, but we wouldn’t take any risks on his long-term fitness. But we’ll see how he is today.’

Isak has been one of the players of the season so far, with 19 goals in just 24 Premier League appearances.

He has also netted twice on Newcastle’s run to the Carabao Cup final, where they will meet Liverpool and Howe will be desperate to have the forward available at Wembley.

That clash in north London is on March 16, but Howe says he will continue to pick Isak before then, as long as he is fit.

‘I think with Alex, I think it’s pretty clear to me if he’s fit in any game leading up to the cup final, he will play,’ said the manager. ‘And I think we have to have that mindset with all our players… the best thing for a player to stay in good form and stay fit is to play them if they can. That’s what we’re trying to do with with all our players.

‘His game, I’ve said many times, we’ve moulded our game to his qualities. He’s an outstanding talent.

‘He possesses skills and abilities and a way of playing that makes us better in my opinion, and that’s no disrespect to anyone else that we have but Callum did a great job for the team in a change of system that we felt we had to do [vs Liverpool].

‘So there’s some really good bits the other night but I think we missed Alex.’

There is a possibility that Sven Botman and Joelinton could return from injury to play against the Seagulls, but Howe was non-commital.

‘They they have a chance,’ he said. ‘I’d say again today is a big day for them really because I think we’ll see how close they are, whether they train with the team for the first time or not.

‘But knowing both players they’ll be very keen to be involved as long as their respective injuries feel good.’

On Callum Wilson, after a facial injury against Liverpool, he added: ‘I believe Callum’s okay, yeah. I think he took a cut to his eye, but nothing more than that. I thought Callum did well in the game so fingers crossed he’s fine as well.’

The Magpies host the Seagulls at 1.45pm on Sunday for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.