Eddie Howe issues update on key Newcastle United blow ahead of Liverpool and Brentford clashes

Newcastle United could be without one of their most important players against Liverpool and Brentford. The Magpies have endured a frustrating start to the season overall, coming into the campaign hoping to get back into European competition.

As things stand, Newcastle are as low as 11th place after conceding a late equaliser against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Eddie Howe will know the pressure is firmly on with European qualification required for the North-East club to keep up their current level of spending.

Next up, Newcastle face leaders Liverpool and then a Brentford side that has enjoyed a solid start to the season, currently eighth in the table and a point better off. But it looks as though Newcastle could be without star striker Alexander Isak, who picked up an injury against Palace.

Speaking after the game, Howe said: “It was a contact injury, not a muscle pull, which is good news for us. We hope he will recover quickly but at this moment I don't know.” He added: “We look a bit low on confidence and losing Alex was a huge blow to that.”

Alternative striker Callum Wilson has been injured for much of this season, and he is getting closer to returning, softening the Isak blow. "Obviously, he has minimal training time and I have to be really, really careful I don't push him and lose him," Howe added. "So I didn't feel bringing him on at that stage with the minutes we had left of the game was something I could do."

While injuries are not something to be celebrated, Brentford would be pleased if Isak missed the clash with them, and they also have to play the Magpies on December 18 in the Carabao Cup. The Bees now have a tough run of fixtures against Aston Villa, Newcastle, Chelsea and then Newcastle again in the cup.