Eddie Howe says Newcastle are likely to be without Alexander Isak until after the international break – but has defended the decision to play the striker with a broken toe last week.
The Swede suffered the injury at Wolves a fortnight ago, as revealed by Mail Sport, but played six days later at Fulham after receiving a painkilling injection.
Isak reported pain in the area late in the game and was ruled out of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City. He is now likely to miss Saturday’s trip to Everton and Sweden’s Nations League fixtures against Slovakia and Estonia.
Howe was asked on Monday if playing the 25-year-old at Fulham had aggravated the injury.
‘I don’t think that would be the case,’ he said. ‘It was one of those situations where, if he could tolerate the pain, he would be fine. He tolerated the pain for about 80 minutes before he became aware of any feeling back in that toe.
Eddie Howe (right) says Newcastle are likely to be without Alexander Isak (left) until after the international break, after suffering a toe injury against Wolves a fortnight ago
The Swedish international suffered the injury during Newcastle’s 2-1 away win at Wolves
Isak played six days after suffering the injury in Newcastle’s 3-1 defeat away at Fulham
‘It was either he’d be out until probably after the international break initially, or he could carry on playing as normal if he could tolerate the feelings and the effects of the injury. He hasn’t been able to do that, so we’re back to the original diagnosis, I think.’
Did that mean a return after the international break?
‘Possibly, yes,’ said Howe. ‘We’ve not ruled him out (of Everton). We’re sort of assessing him on a daily basis, because there is a chance he could be fit for Everton if everything falls into place. Of course, then we have a decision to make.
‘Does he play in that game, or do we leave him knowing that he’ll be OK two weeks afterwards?’
For now, summer signing William Osula is set to make his full debut during the Carabao Cup tie at home to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old, who arrived for £10million from Sheffield United, has appeared for only seven minutes so far this season, but Howe sees the potential in the Danish Under-21 forward.
‘There is a process new signings have to go through, depending on their respective pathways of how they get to this point,’ said the Magpies boss.
‘With Will, we were well aware that we’d have to go to work as coaches and Will would have to go to work as the player to develop himself, to improve every area of his game to become a Premier League striker. We feel he has the attributes to do that.
Isak is being assessed on a daily basis but Howe said he will likely return after the break
Howe defended the decision to play Isak against Fulham as the striker played after receiving a painkilling injection – with the striker able to ‘tolerate the pain for around 80 minutes’
‘He’s very, very quick, physically excellent. He’s a tall, imposing character and his best asset is running in behind and stretching the line for us. He has some things to smoothen out in his game.
‘We’ve seen already, certainly from the battles he’s had against out centre-halves in training, he has an ability to score goals and have a physical impact in the game, to make it uncomfortable for defenders.
‘We are working hard with him and he’s working hard. His attitude has been excellent. He comes in with a big smile on his face every day. His career and his game is going in the right direction.’