Newcastle United could potentially be set to receive a timely boost ahead of the return to competitive action, following an update regarding the fitness of summer signing, Alexander Isak.
What’s the word?
The 23-year-old has been absent since sustaining a thigh injury back in September, with the Sweden international having only joined the Magpies on a club-record deal during the summer window.
The former Real Sociedad man’s fitness woes have also ruled him out of the Tynesiders’ mid-season friendly fixtures in Saudi Arabia, with the 6 foot 4 marksman seemingly facing a race against time to be fit for the return of the Premier League at the end of the month.
That being said, however, injury expert Ben Dinnery – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has offered a more positive update regarding the forward, with the one-time Borussia Dortmund starlet seemingly “on track” in his recovery at present.
He stated: “We know he’s had a couple of setbacks from that initial injury that he picked up while training with the national team.
“It was always his target to rejoin the group out on their warm-weather training camp and get some good sessions in his legs. That would put him in contention for the resumption of the Premier League. So, as it currently stands, he’s all on schedule and all on track.
“Fingers crossed that he comes through these sessions ok. Hopefully, it’ll just be a case of building up that match sharpness and fitness once those Premier League fixtures resume.”
Real lift for Howe
It would no doubt be a real welcome lift for both Newcastle supporters and manager Eddie Howe were the Swede to be in contention to feature later this month, with the club’s marquee capture having been something of a bystander to proceedings so far this term.
While the top-four hopefuls have thrived in his absence – surging to third in the table heading into the World Cup break – there may well be a sense that Isak’s return could even spark a greater improvement for the northeast side, with the youngster having already shown flashes of quality during his time in England thus far.
The 37-cap menace has two goals in just three top-flight outings for his new side to date, having notably scored on debut during the narrow defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, firing in from the angle with a ruthless finish into the roof of the net.
That outing – which also saw the towering asset see a goal disallowed following another composed strike – was lauded by talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy, with the ex-Chelsea defender going as far as to suggest that he could well prove to be “worth £100m” in the coming years.
Such praise is an indication of just what a talent the St James’ Park outfit have on their hands, with it something of a frightening prospect as far as the rest of the division are concerned that Howe’s already rampant outfit could be strengthened even further by Isak’s return to fitness.
While the former AIK man is perhaps unlikely to be risked in the Carabao Cup meeting at home to Bournemouth on 21st December, the hope will be that he can be involved for the away trip to face Leicester City on Boxing Day.
What a lift that would surely be heading into the second half of the campaign.