Alexander Isak is unlikely to play for Newcastle United again until after the World Cup, Eddie Howe has confirmed.
Isak became the Magpies’ record signing when he joined from Real Sociedad for £63m in the summer, and the 23-year-old scored on his debut against Liverpool before also netting in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
Isak, 23, has missed Newcastle’s last three matches through injury and head coach Eddie Howe gave an update on the Sweden international’s fitness after Sunday’s goalless draw with Manchester United.
“Alex has just reinjured his thigh so a very similar injury to the first one he picked up with Sweden,” Howe confirmed.
“He’s going to be out for a period of time. We probably won’t see him before we break for the World Cup.”
Howe also provided an update on Allan Saint-Maximin, who was absent from the squad at Old Trafford despite making a return from injury with a 12-minute cameo against Brentford last Saturday.
Howe said: “Maxi’s got a slight irritation with his hamstring. On its own, that would be a very small issue, probably a few days out.
“But because it’s the third time he has done it now, we’re going to have to be very careful with his return to play.”
Before the Brentford game, Saint-Maximin missed five matches this season with a hamstring injury.
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Howe described the pair’s injuries as a “huge blow” for Newcastle, who are back in action on Wednesday with the visit of Everton.