There is good and bad injury news ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Magpies take on the Seagulls at St James’ Park on October 19th, immediately after the international break. It will be a challenging game, as Brighton have started the season brightly under new manager Fabian Hurzeler.
That game could now be even tougher, with Kieran Trippier set to miss the Brighton match due to injury. He has a hamstring strain, which means Tino Livramento will start at right-back.
While there is no denying Livramento’s quality, Eddie Howe will be disappointed to lose Trippier for the next few weeks.
Newcastle receive double injury boost ahead of Brighton after Kieran Trippier blow
That is an injury blow for Newcastle United, but there is also some positive news ahead of facing Brighton.
According to the Daily Mail, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson are both on track to be available for Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Brighton.
The Daily Mail state that both Newcastle strikers are expected to train ahead of the game at St James’ Park, with neither player suffering a setback during their recoveries. Isak has had a broken toe, while Wilson has been out with a back injury followed by a hamstring problem.
That is a massive boost, as not having a proper forward against Everton really hindered the Magpies.
Alexander Isak has to start for Newcastle
With Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson on track to be fit to face Brighton, Howe has a decision to make.
He must decide whether either of them are fit to start, and who should come out of the Newcastle starting XI if one of them is deemed ready to go from the first minute.
Given how long Wilson has been out of action for, it would be a major surprise if he started on October 19th.
Instead, it is Isak who should return to the side. While it has been a tough start to the season for the 25-year-old, Isak is a ‘game-changer’ for Newcastle when he is at his best. That is exactly what he was last season, with the Sweden international scoring 25 goals in all competitions.
If Isak does start up front, that will allow Anthony Gordon to play out wide again. Then Howe must decide whether it is Harvey Barnes or Jacob Murphy who drops to the bench.
Callum Wilson return gives Eddie Howe a new option for this season
The Newcastle United manager will also be blessed with the option of bringing Wilson on. That is not something he has been able to do all season, with the Magpies having to solely rely on Isak until his toe injury.
Having two fit senior strikers is going to be a massive boost. It will mean that Howe can rotate, while Isak and Wilson have proven in the past that they can dovetail perfectly and act as motivation for each other.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
