placeholder image
Getty Images
Newcastle United news: Alexander Isak has commented on his ‘frustrating’ injury record.
Alexander Isak has admitted his current injury and fitness issues have been ‘frustrating’ to deal with after extending his unwanted goal drought following a blank against Switzerland whilst on Sweden duty.
Isak has netted just once in all competitions for club and country this season, with that strike coming against Championship side Southampton in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. Isak didn’t start for Sweden in their defeat to Switzerland on Saturday, instead being introduced to the action after the hour mark.
Graham Potter, who was taking charge of his first match as Sweden boss after replacing Jon Dahl Tomasson in the role, is without Viktor Gyokeres in this period of games and unable to call upon a fully-fit Isak. Sweden sit rock-bottom of their qualifying group, but do have a backdoor route to qualifying for next summer’s World Cup via the Nations League - with that to be decided in the March international break.
Speaking about his injury issues, the former Magpies man said: “It was about half an hour. It felt okay," he told Sportbladet. “I feel like the reaction was good after the match in my body.
“Hopefully I can play properly in the next match [v Slovenia]. It's always frustrating when you're injured. Regardless of whether it's one match or more.
“It's always worse for the player himself. It hasn't been optimal.
“But when I'm on the field, I don't give myself any excuses. I always want to play my game and perform.
“But yes, it's hard to be away and not be able to help and contribute. Now I'm back and I'm positive.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
“There's not much that's easy in football. But with experience you learn to deal with things.
“That's how it is with injuries and all that. You learn to deal with it and get back on track the right way.”
Alexander Isak reunites with Newcastle United duo
Newcastle United’s Anthony Elanga was picked to start by Potter on Saturday, with the Magpies man playing over 70 minutes before being withdrawn by the former Chelsea and Brighton manager. Elanga struggled for game time under Tomasson as his five-at-the-back formation often meant that the former Nottingham Forest man was shifted into an unnatural striker role or deployed as a wingback.
Elanga and Isak were also joined by Emil Krafth on duty with Sweden. However, unlike his current and former teammate, Krafth was not originally picked in Potter’s first-ever squad.
Instead, the 31-year-old was drafted in as a replacement for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall who dropped out of the squad through injury. Krafth, although not a midfielder by trade, adds a lot more experience to the squad than the man he replaced having spent six years as a Newcastle United player and, barring a season he missed following an ACL injury, as a rotation option for the Magpies.
Isak, Krafth and Elanga have a clash against Slovenia to prepare for before they return to England to concentrate on the return of Premier League and Champions League football.
Continue Reading