West Ham blow as Newcastle United training photo shows huge boost for Eddie Howe
Newcastle United travel to West Ham on Monday but could be without ‘the best striker in the Premier League’.
West Ham host Newcastle United at the London Stadium on Monday night and Eddie Howe’s men make the trip to the capital with a cloud of injury worries hanging over their heads.
The Magpies have all eyes on the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool later this month but must first overcome a Hammers side that has won two in a row in the league for the first time this season thanks to victories over Arsenal and Leicester City.
The Hammers beat Newcastle United 2-0 at St James’ Park earlier this season and are looking to do the double over their opponents, who risk being without key talisman Alexander Isak. The Swedish international missed the Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield last week due to a groin injury but returned to the starting XI against Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend.
Newcastle United worries over Alexander Isak fitness
Isak ended up going down and was forced off in that dramatic 2-1 defeat to the south coast club. Speaking after the match, Eddie Howe tired to play down concerns of a serious injury but the persistent nature of problems is certainly cause for concern for Newcastle United.
The striker has 22 goals in 31 appearances this term and social media speculation this week has been rife that he could not only miss out against West Ham, but the Carabao Cup final too. Despite that, Sky Sports’ Keith Downie provided an encouraging update from the training ground, describing Isak as ‘moving well and in good spirits ahead of the upcoming games.
Speaking after the Brighton game, Howe said: “I don't think there's a problem there. But as I said before the game, if he was fit he would play today, knowing the importance of today's game and fingers crossed he's okay.
“Alex just felt a bit of general tightness, I don't think an injury, but just general tightness, felt he had to come off.”
Eddie Howe boost as striker pictured training ahead of West Ham
There was good news for Newcastle United followers on Wednesday as Isak was photographed by club photographer Serena Taylor training at Darsley Park. The 25-year-old was working individually rather than with the team, and with strapping on his knee, but could be seen running and working with the ball at his feet.
With five days still before the West Ham match, those are promising signs for the Magpies, although it remains to be seen whether Howe chooses to start with Isak against Graham Potter’s men. The fitness of Isak would be a blow for West Ham hopes of keeping Newcastle United out on Monday evening.
Isak was hailed as the ‘best striker in the Premier League’ in January by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, having dazzled in a 2-0 win over Manchester United. After scoring for the sixth Premier League game in a row, Carragher said: "He is the best striker in the Premier League right now, and he is, I don't think it's actually close right now, I think he's the real standout. He's not just a goalscorer, you're seeing some of his touches, and I can never forget the first time I saw him play live.
"It was a couple of years ago, maybe two or three years ago at Anfield, very early on in the season, he scored a goal, he ran through, and the thing about him is, when he's got a chance to score or he's got to finish, he's one of those strikers you never expect him to miss, he's always got that coolness in front of goal."
In other news, former West Ham and Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has been linked with a sensational return to Premier League management.