Isak’s Fitness Questioned as Newcastle Training Pictures Provide Potential Injury Clues Before Everton Match

Newcastle United are hopeful of having their top scorer, Alexander Isak, available for their clash against Everton this weekend. As they prepare for their final Premier League game of the season at St James’ Park on Sunday (kick-off at 4pm), a victory would secure Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons. Supporters are eager to see Isak back in action after he missed last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal.

On Isak’s injury, manager Eddie Howe shared that the striker traveled with the team to North London the day before the match but felt discomfort in his groin at the hotel, which led him to be excluded from the matchday squad.

Isak has had recurring minor groin issues since last season, missing a match against Liverpool in February. Nonetheless, Howe dismissed concerns that Isak requires surgery, saying, “I don’t think this is a surgery issue. I don’t think it’s something that needs mending. It certainly probably needs looking at as to why he’s getting these sort of groin complaints. But yeah, it’s definitely not a surgery issue. It’s more about what he’s doing to strengthen that area, which we’ll focus on.”

In terms of training updates, Newcastle’s media team recently shared photos of the team training on Wednesday, but Isak was notably absent. This absence may mean little; for example, Sven Botman was also missing from training last week due to a knee knock but still played at the Emirates Stadium. However, it could suggest possible concerns regarding Isak.

Howe is expected to provide further clarity on Isak’s situation during a media briefing on Friday morning.

In a positive turn for Isak, the Swedish FA announced on Wednesday that he has been named in the national team squad for friendlies against Hungary and Algeria on June 6 and June 10, respectively. While there’s a chance he could withdraw from Jon Dahl Tomasson’s squad, it gives Newcastle supporters hope that his groin issue may not be too serious.