Alexander Isak back in training ahead of Newcastle vs Bournemouth

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Newcastle United have received a major fitness boost ahead of their trip to Bournemouth with Alexander Isak back in training.

The striker missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham due to concussion after being forced off in the Magpies’ previous game.

Isak took a blow to the head during the Carabao Cup semi final win over Southampton as he blocked James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick.

The incident forced Isak to be substituted, and concussion protocol meant that he had to miss Saturday’s Premier League encounter.

Following the draw with the Hammers, Eddie Howe was fairly confident that the 23-year-old would be available for selection once again this weekend, with his side set to take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

It is the first time since his departure that Howe will manage at the ground he used to call home, and it looks like he will have the option of picking Newcastle’s record signing.

Video shows Alexander Isak is back for Newcastle

The club have released a video on their official YouTube channel of the players training ahead of Saturday night’s game against Bournemouth.

Isak can be seen taking part, which means that he should be available for selection this weekend – unless he picks up another issue.

But the Sweden international should end his one-game absence on the south coast. However, it feels unlikely that he will start after Callum Wilson ended his goalscoring drought.

Isak is yet to start a Premier League game since returning from injury. In fact, his last league start in a Toon shirt was in the reverse fixture back in September. The £63million man scored a penalty in a 1-1 draw with the Cherries at St James’ Park.

He has now made nine appearances for the club, scoring three goals and providing one assist. Isak has a good return in terms of goal contributions already, and we are yet to truly see him at his best.

Suffering a concussion was a real blow for Isak, as it dented his momentum following his comeback from injury. But he will be back this weekend and will look to prove pundit Stan Collymore wrong after he suggested that Howe will already be thinking about replacing him this summer.