Alexander Isak injury: Progress & potential return date for Newcastle forward

While Newcastle have spent big since Saudi Arabia entered the fray, the Magpies have more often than not nailed their pieces of business.

The club was forced to splurge a pretty penny to prise Alexander Isak away from Real Sociedad in 2022, but it immediately became clear that their hefty investment would garner a healthy return. Isak's debut season was initially compromised by injury, but the Swede's balletic brilliance during the second half of the season propelled Eddie Howe's side back into the Champions League.

Isak has started from where he left off at the start of 2023/24, with the Newcastle star notching six goals in seven Premier League outings. His recent brace earned the Magpies a point away at West Ham just days after their magical European night against Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Isak emerged from the West Ham game as an injury doubt.

When will Alexander Isak return from injury?

Isak came ever so close to taking the game away from the Hammers on Sunday when he rounded Alphonse Areola after giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. But, his effort with his weaker left foot hit the post which kept West Ham's deficit at one and the hosts would eventually score a late equaliser.

Isak wasn't on the pitch when Mohammed Kudus struck an 89th-minute leveller. He'd been forced off three minutes prior, with Eddie Howe confirming the striker had asked to be withdrawn.

"I only really wanted to use him [Callum Wilson] in an emergency but Alex signalled that he had to come off, so he was a natural replacement," the Newcastle boss said post-match, adding that he has his "fingers crossed" that Isak was okay.

The striker is understood to be dealing with a groin issue which forced him to withdraw from the Sweden squad for their October fixtures. After he was examined by Sweden's medical team, they wrote: “Alexander Isak leaves the men’s national team’s European Championship qualifying squad.

“The Newcastle striker came to the gathering with an injury report from Sunday’s match against West Ham and underwent an examination by the Swedish national team’s medical team on Monday.

“After that, it is clear that Alexander Isak is not available for games next week and will miss the European Championship qualifier against Belgium next Monday," Sweden added.

While this update was somewhat concerning, the latest reports suggest Isak is unlikely to miss much time due to his groin injury. In fact, there's optimism he'll be fit when Newcastle take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on 21 October.

Howe's medical staff will continue to assess the striker back on Tyneside.

Newcastle fixtures Isak could miss through injury

If Isak is ruled out for any period of time, however, his absence will really be felt as Newcastle have some huge fixtures coming up.

Indeed, Palace appears to be the most favourable fixture on paper, with a Champions League double header against Borussia Dortmund one of six games Newcastle have in a 17-day period.

There's also a trip to improving Wolves on the horizon, as well as a Carabao Cup away day at Manchester United - they remain tough opposition despite their recent struggles under Erik ten Hag. But perhaps the most difficult game of all is against Arsenal on 4 November, when Mikel Arteta's buoyant Gunners travel to St James' Park looking to build on the momentum generated from their 1-0 win over champions Manchester City.

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