Insider: Alexander Isak may not be fully fit until next season after ‘worrying’ Newcastle United twist
Newcastle United may not see the best of Alexander Isak until next season.
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 not featured for Newcastle since September after suffering a hamstring injury while away with Sweden.
As quoted by the Athletic at the weekend (17 December), Eddie Howe admitted the 23-year-old “does not have a return date” but is making “good progress”.
“It’s a worry, certainly as a Newcastle supporter,” Dinnery told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“There is going to be an element of player management to this.
“He’s a player we need, not just for the here and now but in the long term. There’s got to be an understanding that he’s a young player coming into a new league and we want him for the long haul. He needs to be robust enough for the Premier League which is unique in its nature.
“When you have Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Allan Saint-Maximin who can be utilised centrally and we’re winning and scoring goals, the pressure on Eddie Howe is eased. He can make those comfortable decisions about Isak. There’s no need to take any chances.
“The concern is, this was a two-week injury that has extended into several months.
“There was a suggestion he’d travel with the squad to Saudi Arabia but not train with the team or take part in the friendlies but the expectation was he’d rejoin and not be too far away come the festive fixtures.
“Howe has been coy and chose his words carefully. Reading between the lines from the small excerpts, the fact he hasn’t transitioned to anywhere near team training is a worry. That indicates he hasn’t responded as they hoped or there has been a setback along the way that has impacted his return.
“Whatever it might be, the impact of this will be felt again heading into the second half of the campaign.
“When he’s ready to force himself back into contention if Wilson is fit and performing and Newcastle are doing well, it means we probably won’t get a chance to see the best of Isak this season.
“Already, we’re looking at 2023-24 for him to get a good solid pre-season under his belt and get into a good physical place to kick on.
“For the remainder of the campaign, he may be restricted to a bit-part role depending on circumstances around the team.”
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