Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted that he is uncertain whether star striker Alexander Isak will be available for their FA Cup fifth-round match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Isak has been nursing a minor injury for the past two weeks and was left out of the squad during Newcastle’s midweek defeat to Liverpool.
Howe stressed that while the Swedish-born forward of Eritrean descent’s injury is not expected to be long-term, he remains cautious about rushing him back into action.
The manager acknowledged that protecting Isak’s long-term fitness is a priority, especially with the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on the horizon in March.
However, he also emphasized that if Isak is fit, he will feature against Brighton.
“We will see how he is today. We don’t think it’s a long-term problem. There was no risk taken on Wednesday and there can’t be with the stage of the season we’re in.
“There is always a risk with any player but we wouldn’t take any risks on his long-term fitness. We will see how he is today and if he is fit, he will play.
“I think with Alex, it is pretty clear for me, if he is fit in any game leading up to the EFL Cup final then he will play and we have to have that mindset with all of our players.
“You can’t save players as they will lose rhythm. The best thing for a player to stay in good form and to stay fit is to play them and that’s what we will try to do with all of our players.”
