Newcastle United is facing a series of injury challenges as they prepare for their Premier League match against Everton. The team is particularly concerned about the fitness of star striker Alexander Isak, who missed their recent 1-1 draw with Manchester City due to a broken toe. Isak, who joined from Real Sociedad in 2022 for a fee that could rise to £63 million, sustained the injury during a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month. His absence has raised doubts about his availability for the upcoming match against Everton at Goodison Park this Saturday.
Isak has already been ruled out of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against AFC Wimbledon. Manager Eddie Howe confirmed that the Swedish forward will not be playing on Tuesday and expressed uncertainty about his participation in the Premier League fixture. Howe reassured fans that Isak’s injury is not serious but noted that it is a persistent issue, which has prevented him from featuring in recent games. The Magpies are hoping that Isak will recover in time, but Howe emphasized that decisions regarding his return will be made later this week.
In addition to Isak, Newcastle has other concerns with a number of key players sidelined. Midfielder Sandro Tonali made his first start in nearly a year after serving a ban for breaching betting regulations, but he was forced off with cramp. Howe reflected positively on Tonali’s performance, noting that he gave his all despite lacking full fitness. Full-back Kieran Trippier also came off with a leg issue, though the extent of his injury remains uncertain. Both players will be assessed in the coming days.
Newcastle’s defensive line is also weakened with the absence of central defenders Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles. In addition, forward Callum Wilson and midfielder Lewis Miley are unavailable for selection. To make matters worse, left-back Matt Targett missed the match against Manchester City due to an eczema flare-up. The club remains hopeful that Targett will be able to return to training soon, but his status for the Everton match is still unclear.
As Newcastle navigates these injury concerns, they will need to adapt quickly in preparation for their upcoming challenges. Howe and the coaching staff are working hard to manage the fitness of their squad and ensure they are in the best possible shape for the crucial Premier League encounter.