Alexander Isak: Eddie Howe issues new striker injury update as Carabao Cup final looms | OneFootball

Magpies boss has also revealed latest on Sven Botman and Lewis Hall and why club won’t appeal Anthony Gordon suspension

Newcastle have been handed a huge fitness boost with Alexander Isak firmly on track to play against West Ham and in next week’s Carabao Cup final clash with Liverpool.

Isak later took part in media preview duties for the Carabao Cup final, raising hopes that he would be ready for the game at Wembley on March 16.

Howe would loathe to be without him for such a big game, with the 25-year-old having scored 22 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions so far this term. Only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have netted more in the Premier League.

In a positive new update on Isak issued ahead of Monday night’s Premier League trip to West Ham, Howe told reporters: “He's fine. He came off (on Sunday) feeling fatigued, a tightness in his body. But he's trained every day this week.”

Newcastle’s preparation for the Carabao Cup final has been disastrous so far, with Howe confirming reports that Sven Botman is set to undergo knee surgery and fellow defender Lewis Hall having already been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury sustained against Liverpool last month that also needs an operation.

"Sven, we have been trying to get him back to full fitness, he was very close to the Brighton game but the day before he felt something again in his knee,” Howe said. “This week he has had the same discomfort so it looks like he will have to have an operation.

On Hall, he added: “Really disappointed for Lewis, we are devastated for him, he had so much to look forward to. He had the cup final and then internationals coming up, he was in really good form. It is a big blow for him and for us.”

To make matters much worse still, Anthony Gordon is suspended for the Carabao Cup final after being sent off against Brighton for raising his hands to the face of defender Jan Paul van Hecke, meaning Newcastle will be missing their first-choice left side at Wembley.

Howe initially did not rule out a potential appeal against the decision, but the Magpies later decided against it with seemingly very limited chance of success, meaning Gordon will also be banned against West Ham and Brentford and not in a position to return until the top-flight trip to Leicester on April 7.

"It's always a discussion point and we discussed it with a club with the respective people we needed to discuss it with - lawyers etc - and we felt there wasn't sufficient grounds to do that,” Howe said.

"There was no intention from Anthony. He didn't mean to hurt anybody. But, you have to look at it and ask if there is any chance of being successful and if there is no chance then what is the point of appealing and Anthony understands that.”

Newcastle have also been without club captain Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier of late, though Howe added that the latter is now fit and available again.

“We still have two more training sessions before Monday night's game but at the moment that would be enough [for Isak and Trippier to play] and fingers crossed we can keep everyone else fit,” he said.

On Lascelles, Howe added: “He is making good progress. He is back out on the grass but not training with the team yet. I would say he will be really happy currently with where he is at - he is super lean and super fit.

“He is now entering the last stage of his recovery from injury and hopefully we will see him soon.”