Newcastle United lose 'best' player to injury 12 days before West Ham clash

Newcastle United have suffered an injury blow just two weeks before facing West Ham United. The Magpies have picked up form again of late, and they are locked in the Premier League’s top four race.

The Magpies missed out on this season’s Champions League, but they have a good chance of making it this term, especially if the Premier League gets one of the extra spots as expected.

Heading into Tuesday night, Newcastle are one point outside of the top five and two outside the top four, but they play on Wednesday night against leaders Liverpool. Ahead of that game, the Magpies have been hit with a fresh injury blow, and a very significant one at that.

Striker Alexander Isak has been ruled out with a groin issue, with the Magpies’ X page explaining: “Alexander Isak misses out through a slight groin problem this evening.”

The fact the issue is being described as ‘slight’ will give Newcastle hope that Isak will return this weekend for the weekend’s clash with Brighton or the Premier League clash with West Ham after that, but there will be a question mark, especially for a quick player like Isak, who is more at risk of worsening such injuries if they are not fully healed.

Isak is the second top scorer in the Premier League with 19, currently six goals behind Mohamed Salah. Speaking about the news of the Swedish international’s injury, Dion Dublin told BBC Sport: “What a lift that is. The guy [Alexander Isak] is a genius and he is the best in the league. Preparation changes for a defender, completely changes. You have gone into a game with a certain mindset and you might feel a bit more relaxed. You tip your hat to Liverpool getting over the line here.”

West Ham will view the upcoming fixtures as a key run in their season as they look to move away from the relegation zone, to the 40-point total and beyond. The Hammers are not realistically at threat of relegation given there is a 13-point gap between them and the bottom three, but Graham Potter will want to ensure his side are mathematically safe sooner rather than later.

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