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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe provides a positive injury update on Alexander Isak and Joe Willock ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Arsenal.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has refused to rule out the prospect of both Alexander Isak and Joe Willock returning from injury to feature in Saturday's Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Isak has missed each of the Magpies' last three games since being withdrawn in the 3-1 victory at Aston Villa last month with a groin problem.

Willock, meanwhile, has been troubled with injuries throughout this season and has been reduced to only 301 minutes across six appearances in all competitions.

The former Arsenal midfielder was sidelined with a hamstring injury at the beginning of the campaign and he is now towards the end of his recovery from an Achilles problem which has kept him out since mid-November.

Howe has confirmed that both players have taken part in training this week and the Newcastle duo will be assessed ahead of Saturday's trip to North London.

"They have trained this week – it has been good to see them back on the grass," Howe told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

"It has been a long time for Joe but he is a huge player for us. It's been great to see him back among the group - he is a very popular member of the squad. I'm really pleased for him this week.

"With Alex, again, he's a really important player. He's trained really well, so we're happy with both players.

"We'll have to wait and see - we've one more training session – but we've been pleased with their progress."

Fabian Schar has also trained this week and the defender is in contention to face the Gunners despite leaving the pitch clutching his arm after Newcastle's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at St James' Park last weekend.

However, Callum Wilson (pectoral), Nick Pope (shoulder), Matt Targett, Joelinton (both thigh), Elliot Anderson (back) and Sandro Tonali (suspension) all remain unavailable for selection.

Newcastle claimed maximum points the last time that they faced Arsenal, winning 1-0 on home soil in November, and Howe believes that his Magpies side must be at their best once again if they wish to claim a positive result against their title-chasing counterparts.

"We will need to replicate close to our best performance in order to get something from the game," said Howe. "We've had some really good games against Arsenal in recent seasons – very tight affairs.

"Last season at the Emirates was a really battling performance from us. Defensively, we're going need to be improved from where we have been in recent weeks. That's the challenge for us.

"Arsenal this season have been very, very good in every aspect of the game – statistically one of the best teams in the league, and rightly where they are in the table. It will be a challenge for us."

Newcastle, who are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games, currently sit eighth in the table, one point behind seventh-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, seven points behind sixth-placed Manchester United and 10 points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur in sixth spot. body check tags ::

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