NEWCASTLE hope to have new striker Alexander Isak available for Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool.

The Swedish striker missed out on yesterday’s trip to Wolves because his work permit did not arrive in time for him to play following his club record move from Spanish side Real Sociedad.

Head coach Eddie Howe said “This is our first (work permit) since I’ve been here that has taken this long. I don’t know whether the bank holiday weekend had something to do with it, possibly. But I would be hugely disappointed if we could use him on Wednesday in some capacity.”

The 22-year-old did travel to Molineux with the squad and watched his new team mates battle back from being a goal down to draw 1-1 with Wolves thanks to Allan St Maximin’s outstanding volley.

Despite not being involved in the action, Howe believes that still would have been a valuable experience for the Swedish international. He continued: “He was with us in the dressing room. We wanted him to experience the game as a player even though he couldn’t play. I think it would have been an eye opener from him in terms of the physicality of that game, it was end to end.

“Very open football match and I think if I was looking at it through his eyes, I think I would be excited by looking at our team today and how many chances we could create for him. But I’d also realise that I have to contribute to the team in a physical way because that game was brutal.”

At things stand, Chris Wood stands alone as the club’s only available striker due to the fact Callum Wilson is currently out injured with a hamstring injury. Wood started the game at Molineux and helped them on their way to a point on the road.

The head coach wants to see the paperwork completed in time for the trip to Anfield and is keen to see his new man Isak in action.

Howe added: “Ultimately, strikers are always judged on their goal output and creativity so we hope he makes a difference to our creative output when he plays. He is a linker of play as well, he’s not just a goal scorer. He will contribute to aspects of our build up play.

“That’s why we are excited by what he can do to the team but I thought Chris (Wood) did another good job for the team today. The team looked solid and strong after a disappointing 45 minutes.”