Alexander Isak injury: Eddie Howe issues worrying update ahead of Newcastle season-decider | OneFootball

The striker remains a doubt to face Everton as Newcastle look to qualify for the Champions League

Injured: Alexander Isak

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Newcastle striker Alexander Isak remains a doubt to face Everton on Sunday as the Premier League season concludes.

Howe at the time was positive over his striker's fitness but confirmed on Friday that Isak is yet to train with his team-mates ahead of the weekend.

Newcastle know a win against Everton will confirm qualification to the Champions League, while any dropped points could see them drop out of the top five, and they face the prospect of doing so without their star striker.

"He's doing OK," Howe said of Isak. "He hasn't trained with us yet, but he's made good progress throughout the week. The next couple of days will be absolutely crucial to his availability on Sunday. There's a chance.

Joelinton will sit out the final game of the season

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"We will leave it until tomorrow [before deciding if Isak can play], but this week he has been training just individually and building up his load. He has been running and feels OK at the moment, but running is one thing and kicking a ball is another."

Trippier has been sidelined since the draw at Brighton and is also a doubt to face Everton having not yet returned to training. Howe added: "He is in a similar situation to Alex. He hasn't trained with us yet.

"He's had an absence of two, two-and-a-half weeks but has a chance in the next couple of days to build up his load and maybe we will see him train tomorrow. Let's wait and see."

Joelinton, though, will miss the season decider with a return in pre-season now the target.

Howe said: "He won't be back. He's had another injection in his knee, which was always on the cards potentially for him so he's in a knee brace as a protection from that injection.

"He's making good progress. We envisage he will be back for pre-season with no problems."