EDDIE Howe insists Newcastle United didn't aggravate Alexander Isak's broken toe by playing the striker against Fulham - with the Magpies assessing their injured star on a daily basis and the head coach not yet certain when he'll be ready to return.

Howe has ruled Isak out of Tuesday night's Carabao Cup tie against Wimbledon at St James' Park but says there's a chance he could return at Everton this weekend.

The trip to Goodison Park is followed by an international break, in which Isak - if fit - would link up with Sweden. Howe says it's not clear at this stage whether the striker will be going away and a decision will be made later this week.

Isak suffered the broken toe ahead of Newcastle's Premier League game at Fulham but still played 90 minutes at Craven Cottage after having an injection in an effort to manage the injury 24 hours beforehand.

But Howe insists playing in that game didn't cause any further damage.

He said: "I don’t think that would be the case. It was one of those situations where, if he could tolerate the pain, he would be fine.

"He tolerated the pain for about 80 minutes before he became aware of any feeling back in that toe.

"It was either he’d be out until probably after the international break initially, or he could carry on playing as normal if he could tolerate the feelings and the effects of the injury. He hasn’t been able to do that, so we’re back to the original diagnosis, I think."

Howe did, then, however say there's a possibility Isak returns before the fortnight stoppage.

"With Alex, we've not ruled him out," he said.

"We're sort of assessing him on a daily basis because there is a chance he could be fit for Everton if everything falls into place. Of course, then we have a decision to make. Does he play in that game or do we leave him knowing that he'll be OK two weeks afterwards?"

Sweden play against Slovakia and Estonia in the Nations League next month and will want their star striker in the squad.

Howe said: "That will be a decision we'll have to make, depending on how he looks going into the international break."

Asked whether he'd prefer Isak didn't go away, Howe said: "It all depends on if he's fit or not. Fingers crossed he can be and can be involved against Everton and can go with his international team."

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With Isak to miss the Wimbedon game, Howe could hand a first start to summer signing Will Osula, who has so far been limited to just seven minutes of action since joining from Sheffield United.

Howe said: "Possibly. We're assessing our options. We're light in the centre forward area. Anthony (Gordon) did really well on Saturday, we were really pleased with his commitment to the roles, his endeavour and pressing was incredible.

"We really like Will. He's settled in really well. He's training well behind the scenes, we're developing his game in lots of different areas.

"There is a process new signings have to go through, depending on their respective pathways of how they get to this point. With Will, we were well aware that we’d have to go to work as coaches and Will would have to go to work as the player to develop himself, to improve every area of his game to become a Premier League striker.

"We feel he has the attributes to do that. He’s very, very quick, physically excellent. He’s a tall, imposing character and his best asset is running in behind and stretching the line for us.

"He has some things to smoothen out in his game. We’ve seen already, certainly from the battles he’s had against out centre-halves in training, he has an ability to score goals and have a physical impact in the game, to make it uncomfortable for defenders. We are working hard with him and he’s working hard. His attitude has been excellent.

"He comes in with a big smile on his face every day. His career and his game is going in the right direction."

Howe will make late calls on Kieran Trippier and Sandro Tonali ahead of Wimbledon after the pair were forced off against Manchester City.

The cup tie will come too soon for Callum Wilson and Lewis Miley, but Howe is hoping the pair are ready to return after the international break. Matt Targett isn't yet ready to return.