Newcastle: Alexander Isak is STILL unable to play the full 90mins according to manager Eddie Howe

Newcastle’s banner summer purchase Alexander Isak is still lacking the fitness to play the full 90 minutes, according to manager Eddie Howe. 

The Swedish-born striker has struggled for consistent form since his arrival at the Saudi-backed club in August following his £63m transfer deal from Real Sociedad. 

To date, the 23-year-old has made just eight appearances in the Premier League, with only three of those seeing the striker last the entirety of the game. 

Isak missed out on a chunk of time with the team between September and January due to a hamstring injury picked whilst on international duty with Sweden. 

When asked about Isak’s inclusion in the starting XI against Newcastle’s weekend fixture against Wolves, Howe admitted that the striker was still unable to play full matches ‘on a consistent basis.’

The manager said: ‘[Isak] wants to play like every player, I’m sure. 

Manager Eddie Howe has not been able to call upon his new striker’s talents often this season

‘I’ve not really had a huge long conversation about keeping him fit early on after his serious injury he had. Building confidence. 

‘Is he 100% ready to play 90 minutes on a consistent basis?’ Howe wondered aloud. 

‘Probably not. But he will get there. We will build him to that level.’ 

News that Isak is still struggling for full fitness will lead to further frustration for the Magpies, who have been frustrated by a lack of goals scored across all competitions of late. 

They have picked up only three wins in their last nine fixtures, and have found themselves unceremoniously leapfrogged by Liverpool to be pushed back to sixth in the league table. 

Isak missed a chunk of the season due to a hamstring injury picked up on duty for Sweden