EDDIE HOWE claims Alexander Isak is “capable of great things” after watching the Newcastle United striker play a pivotal role in his side’s 2-1 win over Wolves.

Isak was restored to the Magpies’ starting line-up with Callum Wilson dropping to the bench, and the Swedish striker responded with an all-action attacking display that saw him open the scoring with a first-half header.

Miguel Almiron ensured Newcastle would claim all three points as he slotted home with 11 minutes remaining after Hwang Hee-Chan had capitalised on a defensive mix-up to fire Wolves level, but it was Isak’s attacking display that had Howe purring after the final whistle.

“Everything that a centre-forward needs, I think he has,” said the Magpies boss. “He has pace, technique, strength, and then the goal pleases me because it’s not necessarily his trademark, but he needs to score all different types of goals.

“It was a really good ball in, and a really good header. I think he’s capable of great things – it’s up to us now to keep him in a good place and feed him in the right areas.”

Isak has had an injury-interrupted first season on Tyneside, but having got himself back to full fitness over the course of the last few months, the 23-year-old is set to be a pivotal figure in the final two-and-a-half months of the campaign, with yesterday’s victory having lifted Newcastle back into fifth position, four points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand.

“It’s very difficult to do it instantly (after signing),” said Howe. “Sometimes, you need to get to know your environment and you need to feel comfortable in your environment. You need to be 100 per cent right to give your best on a consistent basis.

“I think Alex has done very well in the short time he’s been with us. It’s been disrupted by injury, but we hope he’s behind those concerns and we can build his fitness up a bit.

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“The plan today was ‘run yourself into the ground until you can no longer run’. He put his hand up and said, ‘That’s me done’, and that’s the type of performance I want from him. I’m really excited for what Alex can be for us now, and in the future.”

Yesterday’s victory ended a run of three successive defeats in all competitions, with Howe admitting the result was a potentially-pivotal moment in the context of Newcastle’s season.

“We were desperate to win today,” admitted Howe. “I don’t think it really mattered how we did it, we just needed to win.

“I was very pleased with the performance – I think the first half was right up there with our very best performances of the season. The only disappointing thing was that it was only 1-0 when I thought the game should have been out of sight.

“That’s where the players deserve huge credit after Wolves came back into it in the second half. It was a key moment in our season, and the lads responded brilliantly.”