This morning, there is some encouraging news on the injury front: Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Joe Willock are one step closer to returning.
According to Craig Hope of the Mail, both returned to first-team training on Tuesday and appear to be on track to make the squad for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal if they can get through the next few days.
Isak has missed the last three league games after aggravating a groin injury midway through our 3-1 victory over Aston Villa last month.
Willock has only played three games this season and hasn’t appeared since a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in November, when he suffered an Achilles injury just weeks after returning from a long-term hamstring injury.
🚨 I’m told Alexander Isak & Joe Willock both trained today
💪 Huge boost for NUFC if they come through next few days & make squad for Arsenal, as looks likely #fpl
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) February 20, 2024
Both are key players for us, adding an entirely new element to our assault. Their speed, creativity, and goal threat might be a huge advantage ahead of our journey to the Emirates this weekend. Willock won’t be ready to start after another lengthy layoff, but he might make an impact from the bench against his previous club.
With Callum Wilson out for another 10-11 weeks due to surgery, it’s critical that we maintain Isak fit, as the lack of a true striker was clear in last weekend’s 2-2 match with Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, it’s unclear whether Fabian Schar is alright or will be sidelined after going off holding his wrist last Saturday. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious as we prepare to play a team that has scored 11 goals in the last two league games!
