Eddie Howe shares ‘the biggest call’ he had to make ahead of Fulham win yesterday

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Eddie Howe has revealed why one Newcastle United player didn’t feature in the win against Fulham yesterday and why it’s important to get his return right.

Alexander Isak was missing from the matchday squad as the Magpies took on the Cottagers on Saturday and fans were worried that he may have suffered yet another injury.

In an interview with BBC Newcastle, Howe claimed that the striker was still struggling with the groin issue he suffered while away on international duty.

Howe says Isak’s injury is not a long-term problem for Newcastle

For the last few games it’s been clear that the 24-year-old was not playing to the best of his abilities and looked to be struggling with something after making five consecutive starts in two weeks.

This would have been a lot for any player in the Premier League, but Isak has often struggled to play a full 90 minutes where he is pressing and attacking at the same intensity.

Against AC Milan, the attacker came off the bench for the last 30 minutes and immediately looked tired and ineffective.

With the return of Callum Wilson from injury, Isak has now taken a rest and is hoping to fully recover from this groin problem that has clearly been causing him a lot of discomfort in the last couple of months.

Howe has now revealed that the injury shouldn’t be a long-term problem but that they will have to manage him carefully in the coming games, putting a lot of pressure on Wilson to stay fit.

In his interview, Howe said: “Alex has still been nursing the groin injury and hasn’t been 100% fit… He’s carried on while not being right. We know it’s not a long-term thing but we’ve got to manage him. WHEN he comes back is probably the biggest call.”

Getting Isak and Wilson back will be key for Newcastle

Newcastle were at their best last season when both Isak and Wilson were fit and were rotating between each other for every game, keeping the pair hungry for more.

It’s not been easy for Howe given that both of them have been susceptible to injury, but he needs to find a way of managing their workloads and now with Europe out of the way, he may be able to give them a rest if and when it’s needed.

Just when you think the injury crisis is slowly starting to improve, three more players are revealed to have issues and Howe yet again is going to have to navigate his way through the injuries and hope to succeed in the second half of the season.