Newcastle United's ‘No Risk' Approach Amid Alexander Isak Injury Scare
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United hugs teammate Jacob ... More Murphy who assisted him in scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by)
Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe says he substituted star striker Alexander Isak in the 2-1 win over Brentford on Wednesday because he was 'not 100%', as the club takes a cautious approach to his fitness.
Isak, 25, made history by becoming the first player to score 20 goals in back-to-back Premier League seasons, before a Sandro Tonali wonder strike sealed three crucial points and move the Magpies up to fifth in the standings.
But Howe took him off on 66 minutes, just after Bryan Mbeumo equalised for the Bees with a penalty, and explained why after the match.
'On another day, he'd have scored more,' Howe said. "I don't think he was 100%, which is why we withdrew him. We hope it is nothing serious.
'He wasn't 100% with his groin. He was a bit unsure with his movements.'
Isak had missed a number of other chances in the game, and sharpness is a huge part of what makes him so effective. Groin issues have plagued him in the past, particularly last season when he struggled to reach his peak levels.
Rather than pushing him to his limits, Howe is determined to prevent long-term damage by being more cautious with Newcastle in contention for a return to the Champions League with nine league matches remaining.
A hefty injury list last season saw the appointment of Performance Director James Bunce, and he has overseen a vast improvement in player availability.
But if the club is to manage Isak's minutes, it will need to bolster attacking options, and Lille forward Jonathan David is a target this summer.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe claps the fans ... More during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Howe praised Newcastle's ability to beat Brentford without a dominant performance in its first match since winning the Carabao Cup last month, something he says will be important between now and the end of the season.
"There have been similar games like Fulham and Bournemouth where we have lost at home and kicked ourselves afterwards. Today could easily have fallen into that category if we let it.
'Very similar to the West Ham game before the cup final, we ground out the result and you have to do in the Premier League to be successful and get where we want to get to.'
Newcastle next plays against Leicester City on Monday at 20:00 GMT (15:00 EST).
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