Newcastle United are enjoying a phenomenal start to their Premier League season and are currently third despite several injury issues already plaguing the squad.
Bruno Guimaraes, Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin, Emile Krafth, Jonjo Shelvey and Alexander Isak are just some of the key players who have suffered injuries over the campaign so far, but this hasn’t stopped Eddie Howe’s Magpies from flying high in the league.
Newcastle have only lost once in their first 15 top-flight outings, and even then the defeat was only recorded due to a controversial Liverpool goal deep into stoppage time at Anfield.
There is no doubt that Howe will be hoping that his team can retain their top-four status over the second half of the season, as qualifying for the Champions League would have been beyond the wildest dreams of even the most optimistic Newcastle supporters 12 months ago.
However, the Magpies have been dealt another setback ahead of their return to action on Boxing Day, when they will head to the King Power stadium for their clash against Leicester City.
Speaking on the NUFC Matters YouTube channel, journalist Ross Gregory has expressed concern about Isak’s slow return from injury, saying: “The fact that he didn’t play in the friendly and did some training off by himself still, it’s just a little bit of a concern that it hasn’t cleared up quite as quickly as possible.
“The way Eddie Howe was speaking, it was along the lines of he might not be fit for Bournemouth, he might not be fit for the Leicester game on Boxing Day.”
If the 23-year-old isn’t available to return for the upcoming fixtures, Howe will need to keep unleashing Callum Wilson in the hope that the English marksman can stay fit whilst Isak continues to recover.
The £46k-per-week goal machine has been enjoying an incredible season since regaining consistent fitness, and thanks to his exemplary form in front of goal he earned a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup England squad last month.
Over 11 appearances this season, Wilson – who was dubbed “unique” by former Newcastle interim boss Graeme Jones – has scored six goals and delivered two assists, also offering a selfless assist to Jack Grealish against Iran in England’s opening game of the World Cup in Qatar.
Indeed, the Magpies striker is no stranger to injuries himself and has been plagued with numerous setbacks at St James’ Park, but Howe will be hoping that he can rely on the talented 30-year-old to spearhead the team to further success over the remainder of the campaign.
With that being said, the manager will surely be closely monitoring Isak’s progress and looking forward to his eventual return to the forward line, but if Wilson can stay fit, his boss should not be too worried about Newcastle’s attacking threat in their upcoming fixtures.