Newcastle Received One Injury Concern And One Lift from Their Manchester City Cup Victory.
EDDIE Howe replaced Alexander Isak in the second half of Newcastle’s win over Manchester City as a precaution and hopes the striker was suffering with nothing more than muscle tightness.
Isak, who scored the winning goal shortly after half-time, was taken off just after the hour mark on Wednesday night.
And with Newcastle already nursing a number of niggles and injuries, which is why Howe made as many as 10 changes for the City tie, the head coach didn’t want to take any chances with the striker.
He said: “Hopefully he’s OK. He has a bit of a tight calf. We are nursing a few problems at the minute, the squad is stretched, hence the changes in the team.”
There was one big fitness boost for the Magpies on Wednesday night, with Joelinton returning to the side after missing the last three games. And he marked his return with a fine midfield performance, creating the matchwinning goal.
Howe said: “It was the plan to involve him if he was fit and he passed that test a few days ago so we were excited to get him back.
“He’s such an important player and even in the first half he was the one who was getting close and winning duels, he nicked the ball for Jacob Murphy’s chance.
“I was pleased for Joe tonight. It was a good return to form for him, physically he looked good, even though he’s had limited training.”
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