Alexander Isak has admitted his first few months at Newcastle United have been difficult. Supporters were left stunned at the Swede’s debut in August when he bagged at Anfield before having another controversially ruled out for offside.
Toon fans would be treated to just two more appearances before Isak suffered a thigh injury while on international duty. A setback derailed the 23-year-old’’s season further but the World Cup break allowed him to get back to full speed.
As was the case with Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman, Eddie Howe has also eased Isak into the starting line-up. The Toon boss staved off fierce calls from supporters to throw Isak into the team - and the move has paid dividends.
Howe allowed the striker to adjust to the rigours of English football before naming him in his team against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest. Two wins - including three goals for Isak - has kept reignited the Magpies’ Champions League dream.
The £58million man is loving life as the latest fans’ favourite at St James’ Park but, in a recent interview with Swedish media, he opened up about those “tough” initial months. Isak told Fotbollskanalen: “I got a thigh injury. The first six months at the club were tough, and it took some time to come back from the injury, but it was still okay because I still got to play three games and show a bit.
“Then the team did so well that it took the pressure off me and I could focus on my rehab instead of thinking the team needed me. It helped a bit, but it’s clear it wasn’t easy.”
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