Alexander Isak is said to be 'desperate' to return to the Newcastle United fold after spending three months on the sidelines recovering from a thigh problem. Toon boss Eddie Howe was again quizzed over the striker's potential return date on Friday and admits he is hopeful the £58m man will play a part in his side's hectic January schedule.
Isak picked up a small thigh injury during the September international break but suffered a major setback during his initial recovery. The Swede has only featured for the Magpies three times since his summer switch with fans eager for him to return in the New Year.
Newcastle have a minimum of six games next month with another two on the cards should they progress in the Carabao Cup. Howe is hoping to have Isak available for the busy period but is prepared to be patient with the returning star.
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"I have to judge it when he's fit. I can look at games and think 'this game would be good for him' but it all depends how he feels," Howe told reporters. "He's very close [to full training with the squad].
"I've had conversations with him but not to keep him right. For me it is to find out how he is feeling and to try and help him. He's desperate to play and prove how good he is but it's more a case of keeping him calm and making him realise he's got a long future ahead of him here and we want him to be right when he enters the pitch."
Talk will inevitably turn to whether Isak partners Callum Wilson in a new-look formation or whether the two strikers will battle it out for the chance to spearhead Howe's attack. However, the Newcastle boss insists the summer addition will have to work hard to regain his spot.
"He's supremely talented and can have a big impact but we have players that have played really well in his position so it's going to be a not a case that he's just going to walk back into this team," Howe added. "That's the beauty of our team at the moment. Whoever has grabbed the shirt has elevated their performance to make it hard for others to get back in."
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