Alexander Isak has yet to train ahead of Newcastle’s crunch Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday but boss Eddie Howe says there is still “a chance” the striker will be available.
Isak has scored 23 league goals this season but missed last weekend’s defeat at Arsenal due to a groin injury.
It would be a major blow to Newcastle if he missed out given what’s at stake at St James’ Park.
The Tynesiders are fourth in the Premier League, but level on points with Chelsea and Aston Villa in fifth and sixth, with seventh-placed Nottingham Forest one point further back.
The top five teams qualify for next season’s Champions League.
A win would confirm Newcastle’s place but anything less means they’d be relying on favours elsewhere.
Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak:
“Alex is doing okay, hasn’t trained with us yet but has made good progress. Next few days will be crucial to his availability for the weekend. There is a chance, we will only play him if he is fit to contribute. We will leave the decision on Alex… pic.twitter.com/ne31RqOlEE
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) May 23, 2025
Asked about Isak, Howe said: “He’s doing okay. He hasn’t trained with us yet, but he’s made good progress throughout the week. The next couple of days will be absolutely crucial to his availability on Sunday. There’s a chance.
“We will leave it until tomorrow [before deciding if Isak can play], but this week he has been training just individually and building up his load. He has been running and feels OK at the moment, but running is one thing and kicking a ball is another.”
Kieran Trippier is also doubtful while Joelinton will definitely miss out.
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Magpies not assured of top-five place – Howe
Newcastle are favourites to clinch a top-five spot but Howe accepts there is still plenty of work to do.
He added: “By no means is it a given.
“Everton have been difficult to beat and haven’t conceded a lot of goals.
“They have threats in their team as well. So, we have to be focused and concentrate on what we need to do to win the game.
“I don’t think we can look for any favours of anybody – we can only do our bit.
“For us, we know what we have to do.”
