Newcastle United fans will feel a lot more comfortable if they see Alexander Isak board a plane to Asia.
After Newcastle’s 4-0 loss to Celtic on Saturday, the next part of the Magpies’ pre-season preparations sees them head to the Far East for games in Singapore and South Korea.
Alexander Isak missed the Celtic game, with Eddie Howe opting to send the striker home after deciding he would not feature.
That created a media storm amid transfer interest from Liverpool, and that only intensified when Isak was spotted training alone earlier this week. However, that was much ado about nothing with the 25-year-old suffering from a thigh problem. It had nothing to do with his future at St James’ Park.
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Alexander Isak is not part of Newcastle United’s squad heading to Asia
But will this thigh issue rule him out of Newcastle United’s pre-season trip to Asia? The answer is sadly yes.
It had been reported by the Chronicle that Isak was expected to travel to Asia with the rest of the Newcastle United squad.
However, the squad list has been unveiled and it does not feature Newcastle’s most expensive signing. It is stated that Isak misses out due to a ‘minor thigh injury’.
The group are scheduled to fly out to Singapore today (24th July), with their first match set for Sunday. Newcastle United face Arsenal at the National Stadium, with the friendly kicking off at 12:30 BST.
After facing the Gunners, Newcastle travel to South Korea to take on Team K League and Tottenham Hotspur before returning to English shores.
The hope will have been to get some minutes into Isak’s legs, but that will not be happening.
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Why there is added pressure on Newcastle United to manage Alexander Isak’s minutes
Isak is yet to play a single minute of football this summer ahead of the 2025/26 season. That is a concern.
However, it is vital that Newcastle United do not rush Isak and risk further injury. The situation is incredibly delicate given the current striker options at St James’ Park.
With Callum Wilson leaving the club, Isak and Will Osula are the only senior strikers. While Osula has potential, he is not going to lead the line for the Magpies in the Premier League and Champions League this season.
That honour will belong to Isak, but only if he is fit. That is why the Toon fitness team will be treading carefully at this moment in time.
The pressure will be lifted if a new striker arrives, with Newcastle trying to buy Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
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