Alexander Isak missed Newcastle’s defeat to Liverpool with a groin injury (Image: GETTY)
boss has insisted that he will not take any unnecessary risks with , who did not play in the midweek defeat to because of a groin injury.
The forward was sorely missed at Anfield, with failing to register a shot on target over the course of the match. After the final whistle, Howe explained that Isak’s injury was not too serious and the decision to leave him out was a close one.
He was pressed for another update on the striker’s condition in Friday’s press conference ahead of ‘s game against Brighton in the .
“We’ll see today,” said Howe. “I haven’t seen him since the game, so we’ll see how he is today and have a discussion with him, I’m sure. We don’t think it’s a long-term problem.
Eddie Howe was quizzed on the striker’s fitness in Friday’s press conference (Image: GETTY)
“Obviously, there was no risk taken on Wednesday and there can’t be at this stage of the season. There’s always a risk with any player, even if they’re 100 per cent fit. That’s the world that we’re in, but we wouldn’t take any risks on his long-term fitness.”
Howe will be desperate for Isak to make a full recovery ahead of next month’s Carabao Cup final, which will see take on defending champions .
“I think with Alex, I think it’s pretty clear to me if he’s fit in any game leading up to the cup final, he will play,” added the Magpies boss.
“And I think we have to have that mindset with all our players. The best thing for a player to stay in good form and stay fit is to play them if they can. That’s what we’re trying to do with with all our players.”
Howe was also quizzed on the injuries to Sven Botman and Joelinton, offering hope that they could be involved in Sunday’s game against Brighton.
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“They have a chance,” he said. “I’d say again today is a big day for them really because I think we’ll see how close they are, whether they train with the team for the first time or not.
“Knowing both players, they’ll be very keen to be involved as long as their respective injuries feel good.”
will move closer to booking another Wembley trip if they can beat the Seagulls to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, but Howe is aware that it will be a hugely difficult task.
“Just looking solely at the FA Cup, it’s obviously a huge competition,” he said. “It’s one that we try to focus on again, like the Carabao Cup. We know the importance of every game.
“We don’t take it lightly. We know the responsibility that we have. We want to try and get back to Wembley if we can. This will be a tough game. Brighton are in great form. We’ve got a lot of good attacking players, so I think it should be a really great cup tie.”