Newcastle sweating on work permit for £60m star Alexander Isak before Liverpool

Newcastle United could have to wait until 75 minutes before kick-off at Liverpool on Wednesday night to discover if record signing Alexander Isak has a work permit to play.

The Sweden striker, a £60million arrival from Real Sociedad last week, had to sit in the stands during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Wolves because his Home Office paperwork had not arrived.

That remains the case, as of Tuesday morning, but Eddie Howe is hopeful Isak will be available at Anfield, especially as Bruno Guimaraes, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin are all nursing hamstring injuries.

Eddie Howe has revealed Newcastle have until 75 minutes before kick-off against Liverpool on Wednesday to secure the confirmation if Isak is to feature for the Magpies at Anfield

‘We still don’t know (if the work permit will arrive),’ said Howe. ‘I desperately hope so. It would be great to see him involved for us, but we’re in the hands still of other people. We’re desperately hoping that it gets done before the game, but there’s no guarantee as I sit here now.

‘I think (the cut-off point) is 75 minutes before kick-off, so it could go down to the wire. We’ll wait and see.’

Isak has trained with his team-mates in recent days – it is thought he does not need a work permit to do so – and Howe said: ‘We’ve had minimal training with him between games, but what he has done, he’s done very well. He’s looked bright and keen, but we’ve only seen him in flashes. I’m excited by him.’

Isak (second row, third from left) had to watch Newcastle’s draw at Wolves from the stands

Howe, meanwhile, confirmed that Brazil midfielder Bruno felt his hamstring during the latter stages of the midweek win at Tranmere in the Carabao Cup, having been brought on to potentially take a penalty. He is set to miss the next two matches.

Saint-Maximin picked up a similar problem at Molineux and is a ‘worry’ for the trip to Merseyside, while Wilson remains sidelined for at least another 10 days.

The injuries are unlikely to force Newcastle into drastic action in the transfer market – they have spent £115m this summer – and Howe said: ‘I don’t expect (significant business) to be honest. We’re very pleased with the business we’ve done.

‘The injuries we have we believe to be short term. So there might be some short-term pain around the squad, but longer term I think we’re very strong. That’s not to say we’re totally closed off, we’re still looking.’

The Sweden striker has arrived in the north east as the club’s £60million record signing 

Loan deals are the most likely avenue, and one player heading out is goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. The Slovakian is set to join Manchester United in a loan move with a £6m option to buy, which will become obligatory if certain criteria are met.

But Howe said: ‘Discussions have taken place between the clubs. I don’t think anything is concluded as I sit here now. From my perspective, I’m sad if Martin does leave, sad to see him go.

‘It’s certainly not something we necessarily wanted as a football club, but we understand there are always two sides to every story.’