By Alan Hutton

12th Oct, 2023 | 6:19am

Newcastle twist: Pundit suggests what Howe really thinks about confirmed Isak news

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will be delighted Alexander Isak has had to withdraw from international duty.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said that although no player wants to miss out on playing for their country, this break will be a good opportunity for Isak to rest up ahead of important fixtures.

The 24-year-old has had to withdraw from the Sweden squad through injury after team doctors deemed he was not fit enough to feature during this current break.

The attacker was subbed off in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with West Ham with a suspected knee injury.

Isak will miss games against Moldova and Belgium with the hopes of being fit enough when Newcastle return to action against Crystal Palace on 21 October.

Hutton suggested Isak’s latest setback could be a blessing in disguise.

“I think Eddie Howe will be happy,” he told Football Insider.

“You never want to see somebody not going away and playing international football, some would argue it is the pinnacle. But this is an opportunity for Isak to stay back, rest, recover.

“This is obviously a chance to get his injury right and relax a little bit with those games coming up in mind.

“He has been the go-to guy. It was always between him and [Callum] Wilson but in the bigger games when they are looking for more pace, a real threat, Isak has been the guy to be called up.

“I think Howe will be happy to give him the opportunity to rest and recover.“

In other news, Newcastle United now want to sign left-sided star in January