ยท 23 May 2025, 11:00
**Newcastle United fans have been anxiously awaiting news from the club about the availability of star striker Alexander Isak ahead of the season finale against Everton on Sunday.**
The Sweden striker missed the game against Arsenal with a groin issue but has since been called up for international duty next month, giving fans hope that he will be ready to take to the pitch one more time for Newcastle this season.
The Magpies could really do with the boost of having their star man fit for what is likely to be a nervy game with Champions League qualification on the line.
Joelinton was the other big question mark after Eddie Howe had previously hinted that the Brazilian was fighting to be fit to play again this season.
Joelinton's season is officialy over
Eddie Howe tried to offer hope that Alexander Isak will feature on Sunday
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Naturally, the fitness of those players was the first thing on journalists' minds when Eddie Howe spoke to the press on Friday morning (h/t [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eddie-howe-newcastle-united-live-31704286)), with the gaffer offering mixed news.
There is a chance we may see Isak on Sunday, although Howe says he hasn't trained this week which does keep that question mark fairly prominent.
> "_He's doing OK. 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._"
Eddie Howe gave a very definitive answer on Joelinton
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If you thought that news wasn't great, then brace yourself - no pun intended - for the Joelinton news. Eddie Howe gave a very definitive answer on J7 after he was pictured back in Brazil sporting a knee brace.
> "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."
To be fair, we weren't really expecting Joey to return, merely hoping and praying. Fingers crossed that Isak can make a miraculous recovery by Sunday though, I feel we're going to need him.
Meanwhile, Howe has hinted that Kieran Trippier may be back on Sunday too.
> "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."