Eddie Howe says that the notion of Alexandre Isak subject to injuries is nonsense – and he should know, given his own fitness problems as a player.
The striker is currently breastfeeding a groin problem that broke out in the warm-up before Wednesday’s 2-1 victory against Brentford, in which he scored his 20th goal of the season of the season. However, only Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn started more high -level matches this term.
The first months of Isak in St James’ Park were prey to an injury as a result of his arrival as a signing of 63 million pounds Sterling in 2022. Since then, his availability has improved the season in season, and he is now the only Newcastle player to have been 20 times in consecutive Premier League campaigns.
Howe recognizes this and retaliated with the suggestion that his star player being sensitive to injuries.
“Speaking in my name, as a very subject player in injuries, if you look at my file, it’s subject to injuries!” said Newcastle boss.
“Alex is certainly not. He had problems with a groin problem that tends to raise the head from time to time. He came in the foreground just before playing Liverpool (in February) but, with rest, he was fine and well to go and played very well in the Cup final last month.
Eddie Howe retaliated with the suggestion that Alexander Isak is sensitive to injuries
Howe said he knew what injuries look like given his own fitness problems as a player
The problem of Isak’s groin broke out in the warm -up before scoring the Magpies victory against Brentford
“For any reason, he surfaced in front of Brentford. This is a very minor problem that will disappear fairly quickly.
Howe and his staff worked with Isak to improve his robustness and the head coach now considers the player among his most reliable.
“He is very professional, I must say that,” said Howe. “He has a physio which he uses in collaboration with the football club in which he will fly and fly away, but we certainly support him. We have good relations with people who try to take care of him.
“Of course, we have our own staff here with whom he is very close. It is a question of establishing these relationships and this confidence, so that it knows that we are doing the right job for him and his body.
“Then, of course, Alex must be professional when we do not see him. He must take care of him and devote himself to football. This is the only way he will arrive at the absolute summit and maximize his career. There is much more to come from him, and I believe it with each player. If I didn’t do it, I would be the wrong coach for him.
Howe has added: “There is a myth that, if you train slightly and do not do too much with them, then everyone will be in good shape for Saturday. It’s actually the opposite – you have to work on your players and build their robustness.
“So when the game arrives, they are able to perform what they need and they can do it without problem. This regularly puts them on the training ground. The players who fail to train regularly, they become the players of the problem.
“Alex was a regular coach. He was there and did the work and was very well formed. It was reflected in its performance.