Eddie Howe on Friday calmed fears over Alexander Isak’s fitness but said he would not take risks over his star forward at such a critical stage of the season.

The 25-year-old Sweden international, who has scored 21 goals in the current campaign, sat out Wednesday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Liverpool with a slight groin injury and will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Brighton at St James’ Park.

In just two weeks’ time, Newcastle face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley, hunting for their first major trophy in more than half a century.

They are also pushing for a top-four spot in the Premier League.

Howe, speaking at his pre-match press conference, denied Newcastle were a “one-man team”.

But he said: “Alex brings unique qualities in that centre-forward role, that pivotal middle role that we need. We have other ways of playing, other skill-sets that we can utilise.”

https://guardian.ng/news/unique-isak-will-be-back-for-newcastle-soon-howe/