Eddie Howe has waxed lyrical over Alexander Isak's performance against Wolves and moved to clarify comments he previously made over the striker's fitness.
Isak started from the outset against Julen Lopetegui's side and repaid Howe's faith with a well-taken header and an impressive all-round performance in the 2-1 win. The Swede hasn't started too many games of late, with Howe telling reporters on Friday that Isak wasn't currently fit enough to play 90 minutes.
"Is he 100 per cent ready to play 90 minutes on a consistent basis? Probably not. But he will get there. We will build him to that level," Howe told the media this week. However, speaking after Newcastle's much-needed victory, Howe wanted to clarify those comments.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Wolves highlights
“He’s fit to play 90 minutes for another team, so there’s no concern over his fitness,” said Howe. "I need to clear this up. It was fit to play 90 minutes how I want him to play – and how I demand from my players.
"That’s no slight on him. That’s just him adjusting to the league – and to my style of play. So he’s very, very fit.
"He’s got a little bit more to go to be 90-minute fit for us, but that’s because we demand so much from our players. That’s no slight on him at all.”
Isak rose highest to head home Kieran Trippier's first-half free-kick as Newcastle took the lead before half-time. The summer signing has been knocking on the door of late and Howe admits there could 'great things' to come from him in the future.
“Everything that a centre-forward needs, I think he has,” said the Magpies boss. “He has pace, technique, strength, and then the goal pleases me because it’s not necessarily his trademark, but he needs to score all different types of goals.
“It was a really good ball in, and a really good header. I think he’s capable of great things – it’s up to us now to keep him in a good place and feed him in the right areas.”
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