ALEXANDER ISAK is a major doubt for Newcastle United’s weekend game with Manchester City, with Eddie Howe revealing the striker has been unable to train this week because of a broken toe.

Isak suffered a minor fracture to his toe in the first half of the Magpies’ win at Wolves, but was able to start last weekend’s defeat at Fulham after having a painkilling injection prior to kick-off.

He felt further pain in the latter stages of the game at Craven Cottage though, and has been unable to take part in training so far this week.

As a result, while Howe is confident Isak would not risk sustaining any long-term damage if he was to play against Manchester City, his participation against the league leaders is hanging in the balance.

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“Alex would be a doubt,” admitted the Newcastle boss. “He trained before the Fulham game last week on the Friday, and had an injection in his toe to play. He felt fine, but then he started to feel his toe in the last five to ten minutes of that game.

“After the game, it stiffened up and wasn’t in a great place at the start of the week. He hasn’t trained yet, so we’ll have to make a decision again on whether he trains (on Friday) or he misses the game.

“He’s had scans and lots of tests. The injury has been diagnosed fine – it sounds worse than it is, but he’s got a broken toe. But it’s one that can be managed and played with, provided he can tolerate the pain levels, and that will have no long-term risks. He had an injection to numb the pain, and that was fine until the injection wore off. Let’s see how he is."

If Isak misses out against City, the continued absence of Callum Wilson means Howe will almost certainly have to name Anthony Gordon as Newcastle’s central striker.

“I think we’ve always viewed Anthony as our third striker, in a sense,” said the Magpies head coach. “He’ll play differently, very differently, to Callum and Alex, not really as your out-and-out line leader, but he’s very clever at what he does when he plays in that role.

“I thought he did very well against Wolves in the second half. He’s more of a drifter, in terms of his position, and he won’t necessarily be the focal point, but he’s certainly got the pace to run in behind and the ability to link play. He’ll play it slightly looser, but can still be very effective.”