Pundit feels sorry for Newcastle United after shattering Alexander Isak ‘blow’
Newcastle United may experience more work permit issues when signing players in the future.
That’s according to former Aston Villa and Scotland boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after the striker finally made his Magpies debut.
Isak, 22, was unable to make his debut for Newcastle against Wolves on Sunday (28 August) after his work permit failed to arrive.
The home office only issued the hitman’s work permit hours before Wednesday’s (31 August) game at Anfield, in which he scored his first goal for the club.
McLeish claims this is something Newcastle may have to get used to.
“You would expect it to be done, this is the top level, you would expect that transaction to go through,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Ben Wild.
“It should go through without any hiccups whatsoever. We have seen a lot of strange things in the last couple of years.
“When it comes to permits and passports, even the public have kittens about waits over passports and permits.
“At this level in football and the money involved, you would have expected it to go through and give him a chance to play in those gamers.
“It must have been a real blow to not have him in against Wolves. Maybe these issues are something we will have to get used to.“
Newcastle are next in action against Crystal Palace on Saturday (3 August).
Isak is expected to start as Callum Wilson remains sidelined.
In other news, a medical insider has named Bruno Guimaraes’ return date after an ‘ugly’ Newcastle United development.