Eddie Howe confirms 24-year-old Newcastle player will not feature vs Bournemouth

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Newcastle United have a bit of a striker crisis ahead of their game against Bournemouth on Saturday night.

Eddie Howe has a depleted squad right now, with so many of his Newcastle players out of action due to injury. He also has to deal with suspensions, with Bruno Guimaraes banned for the trip to the Vitality Stadium. As is Sandro Tonali, who is suspended until August 2024 for betting.

Newcastle have issues all over the pitch, but it is up front where they are struggling the most. Howe has two top level strikers in his team, with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak both scoring seven goals so far this season. They are outstanding, but only when they are fit.

Wilson is a doubt for the game against the Cherries after picking up a hamstring problem during the defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night. And that could leave Newcastle without a recognised striker on Saturday after Eddie Howe’s latest update on Alexander Isak.

Eddie Howe shares Newcastle’s ‘plan’ for Alexander Isak

Ahead of Newcastle’s game against Bournemouth, Howe has spoke to the media. He provided an update on when Alexander Isak will be back from his groin injury.

“Alex is doing well and is working on his fitness levels,” he said.

“We are building up his load and the plan is for him to return after the international break.”

No Bournemouth return for Newcastle’s record signing

This comes after Isak was spotted back in training ahead of Newcastle’s game against Borussia Dortmund. It led to some hope that he could potentially return sooner than expected.

However, Howe’s latest comments suggest that is not the case and we will not see Isak play again for Newcastle until we face Chelsea on November 25th.

That is the club’s first game back after the international break, and it is quickly followed by a crucial Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain three days later.

Newcastle’s fixture list is so intense between now and the end of the year, so it is vital that Howe starts getting players back from injury.

It is great that Isak is going to return after the international break, but it is slightly disappointing that he is seemingly unable to return earlier than anticipated.

Combine that with Wilson’s fitness issue, and it looks like Anthony Gordon will lead the line for the Magpies against Bournemouth on Saturday night.