Injuries to Newcastle United duo Alexander Isak and Martin Dúbravka are set to overshadow the upcoming clash between Sweden and Slovakia, with both sides losing key players.
The Newcastle duo will be missing from this international break, something that has today been covered by Göteborgs-Posten.
Isak has been missing for Newcastle since the middle of September with a broken toe that has already kept him out for 26 days and five games.
His absence has been sorely felt by the Magpies, who are heavily reliant on the 25-year-old for goals as he’s their main striker. The same can be said for Sweden, for whom he’s got 14 goals in 48 games to date since making his debut at 17-years-old in January 2017.
Dúbravka has less of a role at Newcastle these days, very much playing the back up role for Eddie Howe’s side behind Nick Pope.
He remains a key player for his country, though, having racked up 49 appearances to date since making his debut a decade ago.
His absence from the side will be sorely felt and was naturally a topic of discussion, as was Isak’s for Sweden, as the two sides meet in the Nations League.
“It is definitely a huge loss for them,” said Slovakian captain Milan Skriniar when asked about Isak.
“I’m not happy. In addition, Ondrej Duda and Tomás Suslov are not at their best,” added Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona when asked about Dúbravka’s absence.
