Alexander Isak injury update issued as problems worsen for Newcastle United striker
Newcastle United star Alexander Isak looks almost certain to miss the clash with Everton on Saturday night.
The £63million striker missed both the 1-1 draw with Man City and the Carabao Cup win over League Two minnows Wimbledon with a broken toe. And the Swedish FA have accepted that he is not going to take any part in their UEFA Nations League games against Estonia and Slovakia.
That would strongly suggest that Newcastle don't deem Isak fit enough to face Everton on Saturday night for the encounter at Goodison Park. Newcastle know that playing Isak against Everton would open up the possibility of Sweden examining the striker with their own medics and making a decision themselves whether he played or not.
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But it is believed there has been "healthy dialogue" between the two parties and Isak looks set to be out until after the international fixtures.
Eddie Howe had hinted at such a prospect on Monday when he said: "It was one of those situations where, if Alex could tolerate the pain, he would be fine.
"He tolerated the pain for about 80 minutes (at Fulham) before he became aware of any feeling back in that toe. It was either he’d be out until probably after the international break initially, or he could carry on playing as normal if he could tolerate the feelings and the effects of the injury. He hasn’t been able to do that, so we’re back to the original diagnosis, I think.
"We're sort of assessing him on a daily basis because there is a chance he could be fit for Everton if everything falls into place. Of course, then we have a decision to make. Does he play in that game or do we leave him knowing that he'll be OK two weeks afterwards?"