Newcastle United problem after fresh injury blow & striker ruled out for nine weeks
The Magpies fought back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, despite Isak – last season’s top goalscorer – needing to come off at half-time due to swelling around his eye.
However, if the Sweden international is to miss the visit to Craven Cottage, it won’t because of the eye issue. As first reported by Mail Online, Isak has a toe injury.
Newcastle will make a late call on Isak amid hope the problem can be managed, however, there are no guarantees.
That means Howe has a striker dilemma ahead of facing the Cottagers with back-up Callum Wilson still sidelined with the back injury he sustained at the beginning of pre-season nine weeks ago.
Anthony Gordon or Will Osula?
Harvey Barnes replaced Isak against Wolves, a reshuffle that saw Anthony Gordon deployed as the central striker over summer signing Will Osula.
In Isak’s potential absence, it is likely Howe will continue with same personnel after it worked a treat at Molineux. Moving Gordon inside allowed United’s head coach to bring on Barnes in his favoured left-wing position. It was a decision that was vindicated after the former Leicester City man netted the winner.
Behind Isak and Wilson, Osula is the club’s only recognised senior striker, however is yet to make it off the bench in the opening five matches since his £15million including add-ons transfer from Sheffield United.
Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell recently described the 21-year-old as a “strategic investment” while Howe and Osula himself have suggested he will have to bid his time before being featuring in the Premier League.
“Yeah, he’s doing really well, very pleased with him,” Howe told NewcastleWorld last month. “It’s always a big step when you come to a club of this size and everything that goes with that, it’s a lot for a young player to take on board, his first move as well in his career.
“I think he’s handled himself with real class, trained very well, he’s been very level and grounded and focusing on his game to make improvements he needs to make but he’s got all the qualities we saw when we signed him.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing how his career develops.”
With the Carabao Cup third round tie away to League Two side AFC Wimbledon to consider three days after Fulham, perhaps then will be the time fans to get to see Osula.
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Exclusive: Wolves Manager Gary O’Neil ‘Under No Pressure At All’
Gary O’Neil has come under pressure at Molineux, following some poor losses and heavy defeats for Wolverhampton Wanderers over the course of the last month. But GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed that whilst media outlets and fans are questioning their poor run of form, the club don’t see anything wrong with how he is faring having just signed a new long-term deal.
Another loss for Wolves this season – this time in the League Cup against fellow Premier League side Brighton – means that they have only won one of their six competitive fixtures in the current campaign, which came in a 2-0 win over Championship side Burnley in the previous round.
O’Neil Says Wolves Will be Second Favourites
The gaffer isn’t overly confident of picking up results
Only Everton and Southampton’s terrible records in the league so far this season has kept Wolves from being rooted to the bottom of the top-flight table – and it’s seen some unrest directed at O’Neil.
The Wolves boss has hardly filled fans with confidence in a press conference given after the 3-2 loss on the south coast. Speaking after the game, the former Bournemouth gaffer stated that Wolves will be second-favourites in many games this season and as such, that could be of huge detriment for their upcoming games.
Sources: Wolves Have No Intent of O’Neil Exit
The Midlands outfit are content with his reign
GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed that despite a slow start to life in the Premier League this season, O’Neil is under no pressure in terms of losing his job whatsoever.
The Englishman, who joined last summer after Julen Lopetegui left following disagreements with the Molineux board, is highly thought of in the Black Country – and having just signed a new three-year deal, is seen as a long-term appointment at Molineux.
The club don’t consider Wolves’ ’14-game-long’ run of form to be poor, despite Sky Sports suggesting that he’s not been at his best – instead looking at the current season in isolation, given that it is a brand new squad with new ideals.
Their run to start the campaign has been tough on paper with Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United in their first three games, and they did pick up a point away at Nottingham Forest. But with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City in three of their next four fixtures, it is likely O’Neil will be judged on games following that period of the campaign.
Wolves Still Have a Huge Survival Chance
There is little to feat about just yet
Wolves were always going to struggle with those opening games, and whilst they could and should have picked up points against Newcastle at the weekend, there is still plenty of time for Wolves to right their wrongs to avoid going down.
Their squad has been slightly depleted by the sales of Max Kilman and Pedro Neto this summer, though the addition of Andre is a coup and as a result, that will massively offset their two losses.
