Newcastle United star Alexander Isak spent a month on the sidelines with a groin injury before returning to the pitch against Chelsea on November 25th.
Since then, the striker has started in four more games and even found the back of the net in the Magpies’ 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
On Wednesday, Eddie Howe started Callum Wilson ahead of the 24-year-old in the crucial Champions League clash against AC Milan. The Sweden international replaced Anthony Gordon in the 62nd minute but wasn’t able to help Newcastle avoid defeat.
The Tyneside club have been knocked out of the Champions League and even failed to make it to the the Europa League. After the tie, Sweden’s TV4 Play, relayed by Fotbollskanalen, spoke to Howe and asked why he left Isak out of the starting lineup.
When responding to that, the Newcastle coach opened up about the former Real Sociedad man’s fitness.
“He has just come back from a serious injury. He doesn’t feel completely 100% at the moment. We are trying to keep him in shape,” he said.
When asked whether he can notice on the pitch that Isak is not 100% fit, Howe explained: “I thought he did well when he came in. But I don’t think he’s physically at his best, but hopefully he will be.”
Newcastle have suffered five defeats in their last eight matches and Isak, who has scored nine goals this season, would be one of the key players to help Howe’s side turn the tide.
