Newcastle United could be without their star centre-forward Alexander Isak for the first time this season, when Eddie Howe’s side visit Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
The Sweden international has two issues to overcome before he can be passed fit – a foot injury, as well as an eye problem that led to him being taken off at half-time last weekend, when Newcastle came from behind to win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“It’s a combination of the two,” said Howe at Friday’s pre-match press conference.
“It was a strange one with his eye, the ball just grazed it. We felt at the time that was the main reason for him coming off the pitch.
“He took a knock to his foot as well – hopefully it’s not too bad. We’ll find out more today and make a decision.”
Howe could face a selection headache if Isak is ruled out at Craven Cottage, given that his most likely replacement, Callum Wilson, is still unavailable due to a back injury.
“Callum won't make the game,” confirmed Howe. “That leaves Anthony [Gordon], who did a really good job against Wolves, and Will Osula, who has done really well since he's been with us.
“I know Will hasn't played any minutes yet but we've been delighted with his progress. He's got all the tools, so we feel we've got good cover.”
How Newcastle fare without Isak
Magpies fans who fear the impact of losing Isak for a tough trip to Marco Silva’s defensively tight Fulham side may be surprised and encouraged to see the stats below.
In the 80 Premier League matches since Isak’s arrival, Newcastle’s win percentage is actually higher when the Swede HASN'T started - 56.2 per cent, compared to 45.8 per cent.
See: Latest Premier League injuries
The Magpies have gained more points per game without him in the starting line-up (2.0 to 1.6), having won 18 and drawn 11 of those 32 matches, losing only three.
Furthermore, although Isak has netted 32 times in 56 league outings, the team averages more goals when he isn’t in the line-up, 2.2 to 1.9.
Newcastle with/without Isak starting
| Isak starting | PL since 2022/23 | Not starting |
| 48 | Games | 32 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Wins | 18 |
| 10 | Draws | 11 |
| 16 | Losses | 3 |
| 90 | Goals for | 69 |
| 1.9 | Ave. goals for | 2.2 |
| 72 | Goals against | 26 |
| 1.5 | Ave. goals against | 0.8 |
| 45.8% | Win percentage | 56.2% |
| 1.6 | Points/match | 2.0 |
When the Magpies are without Wilson too
The stats when both Isak and Wilson have been absent paint a bleaker picture for Newcastle supporters.
It has only happened four times since the Swede’s arrival in August 2022, but Howe’s men failed to win three of those games.
The win percentage plummets from the team’s average of 50 per cent to just 25 per cent if neither of the two strikers play.
Newcastle with/without Isak and Wilson
| PL since 2022/23 | Newcastle | Without Isak + Wilson |
| Games | 80 | 4 |
| Win percentage | 50.0% | 25.0% |
| Shots (inc. blocked) | 14.5 | 14.5 |
| Goals | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| Expected Goals | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Shot conversion rate | 13.7% | 10.3% |
Gordon's striker stats
If England international Gordon is asked to deputise in the centre-forward role on Saturday, he’ll be doing so for only the seventh time in a Newcastle shirt. His previous six outings there include the second half at Wolves last weekend, but the Magpies won on only one of those other occasions, against Aston Villa in January.
Gordon has only netted once when playing as a central striker for Newcastle - a penalty in last February's draw with Bournemouth - and actually averages fewer goals as a central striker, with 0.21, than he does from the flank (0.33).
Also, he doesn’t make any more touches in the opposition penalty area when deployed down the middle (5.1 per match regardless), so Howe may be tempted to try Osula there instead.
Newcastle with Gordon as a striker/in another position
| As a striker | Other positions | |
| Games played | 6 | 49 |
| Minutes played | 426 | 3,290 |
| Shots (inc. blocked) | 2.50 | 2.20 |
| Expected Goals | 0.43 | 0.29 |
| Goals | 0.21 | 0.33 |
| Touches | 46.90 | 50.30 |
| Dribbles attempted | 5.30 | 3.40 |
| Touches in opp. box | 5.10 | 5.10 |
Who is Will Osula?
Osula would come into the Craven Cottage encounter still seeking his first Premier League goal, after making 21 appearances without scoring last season – albeit in a struggling Sheffield United side.
The forward fared better on international duty in the summer, scoring twice for Denmark’s Under-21s against Norway, before completing his transfer to Newcastle in August for an undisclosed fee.
The Magpies are the third English club he has played for - the other being Derby County on loan - since leaving his home city of Copenhagen to join Sheff Utd in 2018.
