Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning, offering an update on injuries and availability ahead of Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Everton.
Our last match of 2024/25 and the biggest home game of the lot, as this one will decide whether or not we qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Win and we’ve done it, but who looks set to be available for Sunday’s 4pm kick-off at St James’ Park? Here is what Howe’s had to say…
Eddie Howe has revealed that Alexander Isak has a chance of making Sunday’s finale against Everton.
The Swede has trained on his own this week, but he’s made ‘good progress’ and is facing a crucial few days as he pushes to recover in time.
“He’s doing OK,” Howe said. “He hasn’t trained with us yet, but he’s made good progress throughout the week. The next couple of days will be absolutely crucial to his availability on Sunday. There’s a chance.”
The Mail’s Craig Hope reported yesterday that the Swede had a ’50-50′ chance of making it, claiming the forward had to prove his fitness over the coming days.
Let’s hope he can make it, as our record in the Premier League without our top scorer isn’t pretty, featuring no wins in four and just one goal scored in that period.
The good news is that Kieran Trippier has a chance of making it, much like Isak, but the bad news is Joelinton’s season is over.
On Trippier, Howe said: “A similar situation to Alex. He hasn’t trained with us yet. He’s had an absence of two, two-and-a-half weeks but has a chance in the next couple of days to build up his load and maybe we will see him train tomorrow. Let’s wait and see.”
As for Joelinton, the boss confirmed he’ll be out again: “No, he won’t be back. He’s had another injection in his knee, which was always on the cards potentially for him so he’s in a knee brace as a protection from that injection. He’s making good progress. We envisage he will be back for pre-season with no problems.”
Sven Botman has trained after coming through last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal with no issues, despite pre-match concerns around his knee, but both Trippier and Joelinton missed out once again in North London.