Newcastle United have a few injury issues ahead of their Premier League clash with Everton.
The biggest doubt heading into Saturday’s game at Goodison Park is Alexander Isak.
The 25-year-old is suffering from a broken toe, and Eddie Howe has said that Isak is a doubt to face Everton.
While the Newcastle United manager did not fully rule the striker out, the fact that Isak is not in the Sweden squad is a strong indicator that he will not feature in the Magpies’ game against Everton.
That will mean he has missed three games in a row, and the hope will be that he is fit in time for the first game back after the international break. That is at home to Brighton And Hove Albion on October 19th.
Eddie Howe says Nick Pope has an injury problem
There are also question marks surrounding Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope. They both missed Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Wimbledon, as the Magpies advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Trippier picked up a knock during the draw with Manchester City, while Pope was absent on Tuesday night due to a knee problem.
After the 1-0 win, Howe told BBC Radio Newcastle: “We don’t think it’s serious [Pope’s injury], it’s just a bit of swelling on his knee.”
Any injury to Pope will cause panic among Toon fans. He was such a huge miss during the second half of last season, after undergoing shoulder surgery. The 32-year-old has already shown this season how important he is for the Magpies, with Pep Guardiola calling Pope ‘brilliant’ after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
Fresh hope that Pope will be fit for Everton vs Newcastle United
Howe will be desperate to have Pope available to face Everton, and there is now fresh hope that he will be involved.
That is because the England squad has been announced for the upcoming Nations League games against Greece and Finland, with Lee Carsley selecting two Newcastle United players.
Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope have been selected, and the latter’s inclusion is a big indication that his swollen knee is nothing to worry about.
If Pope really was injured, he would not have been included. But he is set to link up with the Three Lions, and that should come after he represents Newcastle United against Everton on Saturday night.
Newcastle player dropped by England
Elsewhere in the England squad, there is no place for Tino Livramento.
He received his maiden callup during the previous international break, but was not handed a debut by Carsley.
Now Livramento has not been included in the latest England squad, with Manchester City superstar Kyle Walker returning to the fold.
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