Eddie Howe has dismissed fears that Newcastle United star Alexander Isak will require surgery on a groin injury amid Arsenal transfer links. The Gunners have faced long-standing links with the Swedish talisman and are said to be returning to the striker’s market for reinforcements this summer.
The forward missed the Magpies’ 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday through injury as the Gunners reiterated their Champions League qualification credentials. Arsenal created a five-point buffer to Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa who remain in the contention for a place in next season’s competition.
It will be a busy and important summer at the Emirates Stadium as they look to build on the foundations placed by Mikel Arteta and go one step further in their Premier League title challenge.
This season, they fell short once again as Liverpool cruised to the top-flight crown before being edged out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
Isak is among one of the many attackers to be linked with a move to North London, including Sporting CP superstar Viktor Gyokeres, as new sporting Andrea Berta gets to work.
But should Isak feature on the shortlist, the Newcastle boss provided a positive update on his fitness despite the notable absence.
“Yeah, that’s unknown,” Howe said. “I don’t know at this moment in time. He only felt pain really after training.
“He felt fine during training and then just a bit of stiffness, really so he went for a scan this morning really purely as a precaution.
“But then it became obvious he wasn’t going to be fit to play. So I don’t know.
“I think a lot will depend on how he reacts in the next few days. I think he’s had a couple of groin issues off either side.
“I think this is one that he had earlier in the season. I don’t think this is a surgery issue.
“I don’t think it’s something that needs mending. It certainly probably needs looking at as to why he’s getting these sort of groin complaints.
“But yeah, it’s definitely not a surgery issue. It’s probably more of a what’s he doing to strengthen that area issue, which we’ll of course look at and focus on.”
