Eddie Howe says ‘world class’ Newcastle player is 100% fit to face Chelsea.
Eddie Howe has provided good and bad news on the striker front ahead of Newcastle United’s game against Chelsea.
The bad news is that Callum Wilson is not going to make his Newcastle United return after suffering another setback.
There was concern when Wilson was not spotted in training this week. That was followed by claims that Wilson will miss Newcastle’s next three games.
Eddie Howe has now confirmed that story, with Wilson still not ready to return from injury, having missed every Toon game so far.
Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson:
“We are going to lose Callum for the next 3 games. He has had some tightness in his body – he hasn’t felt like he can kick on to that last part [of his recovery].” pic.twitter.com/LTh2xFH3Pe
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 25, 2024
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Eddie Howe shares Alexander Isak update
But while Newcastle fans remain frustrated over Wilson’s situation, there is hope of improvement from Alexander Isak this weekend.
The 25-year-old looked out of sorts against Brighton, as he failed to score on his comeback from a broken toe.
Howe has provided an update on Isak’s fitness ahead of facing Chelsea, and insists that the forward is feeling 100%.
“He’s another player that’s done a lot of work this week to get his fitness levels up to 100%,” he told the Chronicle.
“I left him on the pitch because he’s one of the most likely players to score even if he was tired towards the end.
“He’s trained well this week. I think he knows the burden of being the the number nine at Newcastle. I think you you do carry an extra weight with that but I think he’s done that brilliantly since he’s been here.
“We need to support him and give him chances. It was great to see him have seven shots last week. So that was a good return on that backing. If he’s having seven shots every week, he’s going score a lot of goals.”
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at St Jam…
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Newcastle are relying on a fully fit Alexander Isak
Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever was nowhere near his best last weekend.
Isak missed some big chances against Brighton, and appeared to lack confidence in front of goal. He was given chances that he would have taken with ease last season, yet was unable to find the net.
The Sweden international was not sharp at all, and looked very much like a player who was only just returning from injury. In truth, it was a major surprise to see him play the full game.
But Isak has now got another week of training under his belt, and that should help him play at a much higher level against Chelsea.
It is vital that he does, as Newcastle are lacking goals right now. Isak was recently called ‘world class’ by Sean Longstaff, and he needs to justify that claim.
Newcastle’s number 14 will be eager to impress this weekend, having scored in both Premier League fixtures against Chelsea last season.
