Newcastle United issue official Alexander Isak update ahead of their final Premier League game of the season against Everton.
The Sweden international missed the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal due to a groin injury, an issue he has been managing since February.
Newcastle head into next Sunday’s match versus the Toffees at St James’ Park needing a win to secure Champions League qualification and could remain without their top goalscorer.
Without Isak this season, the Magpies have failed to win and scored just once - and that was a penalty when Anthony Gordon converted in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in September.
Will Alexander Isak will return for Newcastle United vs Everton?
“Yeah, that's unknown,” Howe said when asked if Isak would be available next weekend. “I don't know at this moment in time.
“Yeah, he only felt pain really after training. He felt fine during training and then just a bit of stiffness, really. So he went for a scan this morning really purely as a precaution but then it became obvious he wasn't going to be fit to play.
“I don't know. I think a lot will depend on how he reacts in the next few days. Yeah, I think he's had a couple of groin issues off either side. I think this is one that he had earlier in the season.”
Howe doesn’t believe Isak requires surgery to fix the issue. He said: “I don't think it's something that needs mending. It certainly probably needs looking at as to why he's getting these sort of groin complaints.
“But yeah, it's definitely not a surgery issue. It's probably more of a what's he doing to strengthen that area issue, which we'll of course look at and focus on.”
Eddie Howe previews Newcastle United vs Everton
Manchester City can move ahead of the Magpies if they win their game in hand against AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday, while Nottingham Forest sit seventh on 65 points. But United’s fate remains in their own hands as three points will guarantee a top five finish.
“I think the prize is so big that everyone's fighting as much as they can for it,” Howe said. “We've never got ahead of ourselves. We've never felt that we were there or the job was done. I know the players feel the same way, so we've been working incredibly hard to try and get the job done.
“Now it's going to go to the end, to the last game, and who knows what twists and turns are there for everybody. All we can do is our best and we gave our best today.
“That's why there's no criticism of the players. They've given so much this year and now we need one more big effort in this last match.”
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