Isak’s injury not as bad as first feared

NEWCASTLE star Alexander Isak’s injury may not be as bad as first feared after being forced off during the 3-1 win at Aston Villa.

The Sweden international was immediately replaced by Miguel Almiron with Eddie Howe taking no chances on the £63m star.

With Callum Wilson out injured with a groin problem, there was no way Howe can afford to take such a risk in the second half of the campaign. Howe, speaking after Newcastle’s second Premier League away win of the season, said: “We don’t really know.

“It doesn’t look too serious, looks like a groin issue but hopefully we get him back quickly.

“I’d like to say it was my decision (to take him off early) but it was Alex’s decision, he said he had to come off. We are hopeful it is not a serious injury, it doesn’t look too bad but it is very early to say that, we need a proper diagnosis.

“I’ve got use to it, our luck has been out all season with injuries.

“It has just been a catalogue, as soon as we get some type of strength we lose something else.

“It was just nice that we had Miggy to bring on even though he is 50% fit. I thought he did brilliantly to play as well as he did.”

Reflecting on the win overall, Howe said: “We looked like a elite team that’s capable of achieving great things. The mixed feeling is that we haven’t really seen it.

“The team at points has looked disjointed but today we looked more like ourselves.

“Players that have been injured have come back and had a bit of game time now and that is showing from our performance so I was really happy with today.

“Our game plan was to be aggressive and stop their rhythm which we did in the first-half. Also to use our transitions and in behind knowing they play a high line. It changed once they got their goal and then nearly a second which was offside so we had to adjust.”

The win took Newcastle back up to seventh place in the Premier League.