Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that striker Alexander Isak is an injury doubt for Wednesday's clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool at St James' Park.
Isak was forced off in the 21st minute of the Magpies' 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday after sustaining a knock to his hip following a collision with Tyrick Mitchell.
After the match, Howe issued a positive update on Isak, telling reporters: "It was a contact injury, not a muscle pull, which is good news for us. We hope he will recover quickly, but at this moment I don't know."
Isak himself then offered an encouraging update on his fitness, telling beIN Sports: "I am fine. It was really painful, a bad knock, but I've responded well."
The Swedish striker added that the "plan" is to play against Liverpool, but Howe has since delivered a fresh update on his No.14 at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Isak yet to return to training, a major doubt for Liverpool clash
"Alex took a knock to his hip. He wasn't able to carry on (against Crystal Palace)," Howe told reporters. "We haven't seen him in training yet, but we don't think it's a long-term injury. We'll wait and see with that.
"It'll be time. It will be pain management, and how quickly the injury settles down."
The potential absence of Isak would come as a significant boost for title hopefuls Liverpool, as the Newcastle striker has scored twice in four Premier League appearances against the Merseysiders.
Isak, who was nursing a toe injury earlier this season, has four goals to his name in 11 Premier League matches so far this term, netting three of those across his last five outings.
Who could replace Isak in attack for Newcastle?
If Isak is not deemed fit to start or feature altogether, then Callum Wilson could be handed his first start of the season as Newcastle's central striker having recently recovered from a troublesome back injury.
Will Osula is another striker at Howe's disposal, although he is yet to start in the Premier League this season since his £15m transfer from Sheffield United last summer, while Anthony Gordon has experience playing down the middle for the Magpies.
Howe provides Dan Burn fitness update
Meanwhile, Howe has provided an update on the fitness of defender Dan Burn, who came through the draw with Palace "okay" after having an ankle issue looked at before the match.
"Dan got through the game well. When he got suspended, we used that as an opportunity to look after his ankle and get himself fit," said Howe. "He was outstanding against Crystal Palace, and he came through the game okay."
Newcastle are still having to cope without long-term absentees Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman (both knee) and Emil Krafth (collarbone) who are all targeting a return in the New Year.
Matt Targett and Lewis Miley were both absent from Newcastle's draw with Palace, but they both started for the Under-21s last week, so they could be in a position to return to the senior matchday squad in the near future.
Newcastle currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, four points behind the top four, while Wednesday's opponents Liverpool boast a nine-point lead at the summit after beating Manchester City 2-0 on Sunday. body check tags ::
