Eddie Howe provides Alexander Isak injury update after striker missed Liverpool clash – and insists Newcastle are NOT over-reliant on star man

Eddie Howe has rejected the suggestion that Newcastle United are a one-man team dependent on Alexander Isak.

The Sweden striker was missing because of a groin injury during Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, in which the visitors failed to register a shot on target.

It was the third Premier League match without Isak this season and, in that time, Howe’s side have scored only one goal – a penalty – and are yet to win. In fact, it is more than a year since they last won in the top-flight without him.

Howe has played down fears that Isak could be missing for a prolonged period, especially with the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool a fortnight away. His absence at Wembley would feel terminal to Newcastle’s hopes of ending their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.

And the head coach was asked on Friday if the Magpies are over-reliant on their 21-goal frontman, who remains a doubt for the FA Cup tie at home to Brighton.

‘I don’t think we’re a one-man team. I would never classify us in that bracket,’ said Howe. ‘But in saying that, we recognise Alex’s strengths and his abilities. He brings unique qualities in that centre-forward role, that pivotal middle role that we need. We’ve moulded our game to his qualities. He’s an outstanding talent who possesses skills that make us better. That’s no disrespect to anyone else we have.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe insisted that the Magpies are not overly-reliant on the Swede

‘When he’s not playing, the team takes a different look. It’s still a team that can be successful in my opinion, but we’d have to do it a different way. We have other ways of playing, other skillsets we can utilise.

‘But we were playing Liverpool the other night – that has been a tough game for everyone this season. I thought there was a lot of good, it wasn’t all bad. But yes, we didn’t hurt them enough around their box, for sure. We saw some really good bits, but we really missed Alex.’

Howe used Callum Wilson at Anfield, with the striker making his first Premier League start of the season after a series of injuries. The manager would like to play both Isak and Wilson together when the occasions suits, but only once since the start of last season has he been able to do that because of overlapping fitness concerns.

‘It’s been a big frustration,’ said Howe. ‘My mind goes back to Burnley last year when we played them in tandem (won 4-1 and both scored). I thought they were outstanding. They looked a real handful and enjoyed playing together. It brought a different dimension to us.

‘Since then, we haven’t had them in the best physical condition to play together. Even now, Callum is still finding his way back to his best and Alex has this recent problem. I would love to get to the stage where they’re both 100 per cent fit and maybe look at that option.’

Wilson is out of contract in the summer and, with no talk of a new deal, it is expected the 33-year-old will move on. Not that Howe is thinking about losing the striker just yet.

‘I’ve always said, I’ve never written Callum off in my head in terms of what he can bring to the team,’ said Howe. ‘He is a goalscorer. He’s strong, quick, physical. He understands everything tactically.

‘The biggest thing is just getting some momentum in his game so he can play enough minutes to rediscover his rhythm. That’s what he needs. It’s a delicate balance, but Callum has every motivation to do well, and I’d back him to do so.’