Newcastle United face potential 'situation from hell' if Eddie Howe loses star man

Newcastle United face a potential 'situation from hell' if star striker Alexander Isak was to miss this weekend's clash with Fulham.

The Swedish international was subbed at half-time in the 2-1 victory over Wolves last Sunday and reports claim that he is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Craven Cottage. His absence would likely see Anthony Gordon start up top given that United's number nine, Callum Wilson, is still unavailable while Toon boss Eddie Howe seems reluctant to try William Osula before the young striker is ready.

According to the Mail Online, Isak has a potential issue with his foot and will be assessed before the game.

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According to Chronicle Live's John Gibson, the lack of an out and out striker to replace Isak is something that he and many Magpie fans have 'feared' happening for a long time.

Speaking on The Match Preview of The Everything is Black and White Podcast, Gibson said: "Gordon will play the False 9, which he did at times last season, which he did successfully for the when the under 21s won the European title but it's a lot different playing against young men, young, young, inexperienced men, than playing in the Premier League against quality.

"If we haven't got his Isak, we are in trouble. We might get by with it down at Wimbledon in the next game in midweek in the League Cup and could play a Osula down there.

"While he's obviously not ready for the Premier League, he certainly could play against the League Two side, I would presume he could but we would be considerably more toothless if we haven't got Isak. That is the situation from hell, isn't it? It's the one we've feared for an awful long time. It irritates me because we've known about it for an awful long time and for one reason or another, financial fair play or whatever, we haven't addressed it.

"We've hung our hat, Eddie's hung his hat heavily on Callum Wilson, and repeatedly that's Boomeranged. I mean, we haven't seen him yet [this season.] There's no chance of him playing at Fulham. He was injured and sent back home from Germany, and it wasn't even in the preseason friendly.

"The lad is a terrific centre forward but it's no good having Callum Wilson when he's not available. We are terribly vulnerable at [number] nine, and it's sod's law, isn't it, that if we get an injury, it was going to be at number nine.

"It's not outside left where we've got two absolute top class wingers. It's not our full backs where we've got either Tino Livramento or Kieran Trippier on one side and Lloyd Kelly and Lewis Hall on the other. It's not midfield where we've got Sean Longstaff challenged by Sandro Tonali with Joe Willock then and Lewis Miley coming back.

"Those positions we can absorb problems. Centre forward is one of the few positions, goalkeeper is another I would suggest where we can't absorb problems and inevitably that's one way we've either got a problem or it's all heightened what's going to happen if we ever do have a problem.”

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