Alexander Isak is not in the squad for the clash with Fulham on Saturday due to a groin problem, confirmed Magpies boss .
The Swedish striker came off the bench in the against AC Milan in midweek and was not thought to be an injury doubt for the clash with the in-form Cottagers.
However, he was not even named on the substitutes’ bench by Howe on Saturday afternoon, with Callum Wilson in the central striker role, flanked by Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron.
Explaining Isak’s omission, Howe said: ‘It’s not a big problem. But he still has the after effects of his groin injury.
‘He’s just feeling a tightness, so we didn’t want to risk making that worse. Especially with the [upcoming] schedule.’
The Magpies do indeed have an extremely busy schedule this month, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Chelsea coming up on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.
This is followed by two more Premier League games before the end of the month, at Luton Town on Saturday 23 December and at home to Nottingham Forest three days later.
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