Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has provided a worrying injury update ahead of the Magpies’ game against Manchester City.
It is well documented that Pep Guardiola is going to be without arguably his most important player at St James’ Park.
Manchester City will not have Rodri available to face Newcastle United, with the 28-year-old suffering a serious knee injury during their 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
However, Erling Haaland will be available for Man City, after the Premier League’s top scorer avoided a retrospective ban for throwing the ball at the head of Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes last Sunday.
While Manchester City will have their top striker, it is unclear if Newcastle United will have theirs.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United (14) warms up during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Newcastle United FC at Craven Cottage on Sep…
Eddie Howe provides update on Alexander Isak ahead of Newcastle vs Manchester City
Ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, Eddie Howe has spoken to the media.
He has shared an update on Alexander Isak‘s fitness, after the 25-year-old played through a toe injury last week.
Isak had been a doubt to face Fulham, but was able to start and actually played the full 90 minutes.
However, it is currently unclear if he will be available for Saturday’s game against the Premier League champions.
“Alex is still nursing his toe injury,” Howe said.
“He will be a doubt for tomorrow. He hasn’t trained yet so we will have to make a decision on him.”
Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak:
“Alex is still nursing his toe injury; he will be a doubt for tomorrow. He hasn’t trained yet so we will have to make a decision on him.”
What will happen if Alexander Isak is not fit to face Manchester City
With Isak a doubt to take on Manchester City this weekend, Eddie Howe might have to tweak his forward line.
The Newcastle United manager will not be able to call upon Callum Wilson, as the Magpies’ number nine is also injured. It is hoped that Wilson will return to face Brighton on October 19th.
It feels unlikely that Will Osula will start. He made his Premier League debut against Fulham last weekend, coming off the bench for the final 10 minutes. However, he is yet to start for Newcastle, and it would be a huge shock if Howe gave him that chance against a side as good as Manchester City.
Therefore, the most likely solution is Anthony Gordon playing up front. It was reported last week that Gordon was going to be striker against Fulham if Isak was not available, but the Sweden international ended up being able to play.
With Gordon possibly up front, that could give either Jacob Murphy or Miguel Almiron the chance to come into the side and start alongside the 23-year-old and Harvey Barnes in attack.