Expert confused by Alexander Isak decision at Newcastle United – ‘Struggling to get my head around it’
Alexander Isak is approaching a full return to fitness at Newcastle United but Eddie Howe will find it difficult to find a space for him in his squad.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Isak has only managed three Premier League appearances for Newcastle following his £63million summer move, with most of his time in Tyneside spent nursing a major hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old picked up the injury back in September while away on international duty with Sweden.
He made his return last Saturday (7 January) off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday, and then made another cameo three days later against Leicester.
Isak is now in contention for more minutes when Newcastle resume their Premier League campaign against Fulham, with the Magpies currently on a 13-game unbeaten streak in the competition.
Dinnery believes the Fulham clash comes a little too soon in Isak’s recovery for a starting spot, and suggested that Howe will find it hard to find him a place in the lineup.
“I think the Fulham game comes just a bit too soon to see Isak starting,” Dinnery told Football Insider.
“He’s certainly a player that does need to be managed very carefully.
“We’ve now seen him have a 45-minute run out in the FA Cup down at Sheffield Wednesday, and then more minutes from the bench midweek against Leicester and those minutes will gradually be increased.
“But I’m still struggling to get my head around it and how Howe wants to manage this team and this squad he is putting together.
“Isak may have to be pushed out wide with Callum Wilson playing centrally, but it’s hard for him to make any changes at the minute with how Newcastle are playing.
“Since game-week 10 no team has scored more than Newcastle so it’ll be hard for Isak to work his way back into the team as a starter.
“But on the other hand, that allows Howe to ease Isak back in slowly and not rush him and risk a recurring injury.“
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