Newcastle sweat on fitness of £63m star as they wait on Man City decision

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe admits the Magpies will make a late decision over whether to risk star striker Alexander Isak against Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday.

The Swedish international forward, who joined the club for £63million in the summer of 2022, was Newcastle's top goalscorer last season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions.

He hasn't been as hot in front of goal this term, finding the net just once for the Magpies so far, but Howe has revealed he has been playing through the pain barrier after suffering a broken toe.

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The 25-year-old has not trained all week but the United boss says it is an injury he can play through with painkiller injections, providing the former Real Sociedad star can tolerate the pain levels.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Howe said: "Alex is still nursing a toe injury.

"He trained last week before the Fulham game and he had an injection in his toe to play. He felt fine but started to feel his toe in the final five or 10 minutes. After the game, it stiffened up and he wasn't in a great place earlier in the week.

"He hasn't trained yet. We will have to make a decision on whether he trains today. He’s had scans and lots of tests. The injury has been diagnosed fine – it sounds worse than it is, but he’s got a broken toe.

"But it’s one that can be managed and played with, provided he can tolerate the pain levels, and that will have no long-term risks. He had an injection to numb the pain, and that was fine until the injection wore off. Let’s see how he is."

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