Eddie Howe’s pre-Chelsea message as Newcastle manager reveals secret injury and squad ‘harmony’ concern

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After securing the future of Anthony Gordon, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is now facing questions over Alexander Isak’s contract situation.

The Swedish striker was a hot topic of conversation on Friday morning, as Eddie Howe addressed the media ahead of Newcastle United‘s Premier League clash with Chelsea.

During the press conference, Howe stated that Isak is fully fit ahead of Sunday’s game, after a disappointing display last weekend against Brighton. However, those in attendance were more interested in asking Howe about Isak’s future, amid renewed speculation over his contract situation.

The Newcastle United manager addressed Isak’s contract, while there were plenty of other key takeaways from his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea.

Newcastle in no rush to extend Alexander Isak’s contract

Ahead of speaking to the media, it was reported that Isak wants to sign a new contract with Newcastle, in the aftermath of Anthony Gordon extending his stay.

However, that was followed by a story that stated that Isak is not in contract talks with Newcastle, and could look to leave if the Magpies fail to qualify for the Champions League.

In the eyes of Howe, Isak’s contract is not a major issue, as the 25-year-old has a deal that runs until 2028.

“That’s a slightly more complex situation,” he said.

“Regarding contracts, I’m not involved in those discussions day to day. With Alex, he’s got a long contract anyway at the football club and we have to be really careful with our spending due to profit and sustainability rules. It’s not a clear-cut situation.

“We of course love him and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads of goals for us. I don’t see a short-term issue with his contract.”

Callum Wilson ruled out but not injured

Newcastle’s other striker was also an important topic of conversation ahead of Chelsea.

Eddie Howe confirmed that Callum Wilson will miss the trip to Stamford Bridge. In fact, he is going to miss Newcastle’s next three games, as his absence continues.

On Wilson, Howe said: “He’s just had some tightness in his body. He hasn’t felt like he can kick on to that last part that he needed. He had trained with us and looked really good. But with Callum, we’re hypersensitive and he’s hypersensitive to things like this. It isn’t an injury but we need him back when he’s ready.”

With Wilson’s layoff now extended, Will Osula could get the chance to feature for Newcastle.

Newcastle had a secret injury problem last week

Newcastle United have no fresh injury problems ahead of the game against Chelsea. It sounds like the squad that faced Brighton will be available for the game at Stamford Bridge.

However, Howe did note that Newcastle had a secret injury problem last week that was not mentioned.

“Dan Burn was nursing an ankle last week but he managed to play the game and played well,” he said.

You couldn’t tell that Dan Burn had an ankle problem. He put in a solid performance against Brighton, as he continues to impress at centre-back.

Eddie Howe admits to unsettling summer

Once again, Eddie Howe reinforced what a difficult summer it was for Newcastle. There were various issues at play, and they continue to have an impact on goings on at St James’ Park.

So many Toon players were linked with exits, while many of them also competed at major competitions. There was also the speculation over Howe and the England job, as well as the rift between the manager and Paul Mitchell.

It has been an uncomfortable few months, and Howe has admitted that it has affected his team.

“I always think when you’re talking about players it’s very easy to go ‘well the player should be able to forget that and focus on his football’,” he said.

“When you have multiple players affected by different things then it comes harder. The general feel of the squad at the start of the season was different to how it has been in previous years. My job is to get that focus absolutely back and the harmony where it should be. But it’s taking longer than we initially hoped.”

Howe has been pretty open about Newcastle’s problems. Hopefully that harmony and focus can start to return with a string of positive results, but that will be difficult given the Magpies’ upcoming fixtures.

The latest on Kieran Trippier

Kieran Trippier missed the game against Brighton with a hamstring injury, and is not going to be available against Chelsea either, as expected.

• READ MORE: Who is Kieran Trippier? Age, height, family, net worth

But Howe was able to provide an update on Trippier.

“He’s in a good place,” he said.

“He’s had a little bit of time away from the club due to his injury, so he’s gone to seek treatment elsewhere. But we don’t envision his injury to be a big one. We hope he’ll be back if not before the international break then he will hopefully be back after the international break ahead.

“I think he’s in the best frame of mind that I’ve seen him in for a few months.”

It is positive to hear that Trippier is in a good place, and he will be eager to return as soon as possible having won his place back in the starting XI from Tino Livramento just before this injury blow.