Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak has trained away from his Sweden team-mates as they prepare for the Nations League clash with Serbia on Saturday. The Magpies star, who turned 23 on Wednesday, has suffered a small setback which has been reported as a "little feeling".
Sweden's main radio station, SverigeRadio, confirmed Isak trained individually on Tuesday but claim the problem isn't serious. The forward has not been ruled out of the first of his country's two games during the international break.
The news may still be a concern for a Newcastle side who have already suffered with injuries to key attacking players so far this season. Isak has replaced the sidelined Callum Wilson following his arrival from Real Sociedad and is yet to play alongside Allan Saint-Maximin either.
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Wilson looks close to making a return after narrowly missing out on a squad place against Bournemouth on Saturday. Saint-Maximin, however, may still be on the treatment table after the international break.
“He's had a very minor setback with the physios," Howe said of the Frenchman. "So, whether or not after the international break, he’ll be fit, is slightly unclear, but it’s certainly not long-term. But not clear if he’ll be fit for our next game [against Fulham on October 1] yet.”
Isak has already scored twice in a Newcastle shirt in his first three appearances. The former Borussia Dortmund man cut an isolated figure during Saturday's 1-1 draw but did step up and take a penalty to rescue a point.
Speaking this week, Sweden manager Janne Andersson urged the youngster to continue being a leader in the national setup. "Alexander Isak scored a goal in the national team in 2017, that’s five and a half years ago," he said.
“It is clear that there are players who have already shown that they are prepared to take responsibility in our national team, and it is important that they do so now. Players that have personalities and play in leagues and teams where they gain many good experiences that you can take with you into the national team.”
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