· 27 May 2025, 18:30
**Eddie Howe took a big risk on Sunday to try and seal a final-day win at St James' Park against Everton, which didn't really pay off.**
Alexander Isak had missed the previous game against Arsenal with a groin issue, and the Sweden star hadn't trained all week until the day before the Everton game.
Despite that, Howe opted to throw Isak back into the starting lineup from the first whistle on Sunday and kept the club's top scorer on the field for the entire game, throwing on Callum Wilson and Will Osula alongside him in a desperate search for a goal that just didn't come.
In the end, the result at St James' Park was irrelevant as Manchester United did us the mightiest of favours by beating Aston Villa which meant Newcastle qualified for the Champions League on goal difference.
Alexander Isak will rest up next month rather than playing for Sweden
Alexander Isak withdraws from Sweden squad after playing full game for Newcastle
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So while the result didn't come, and hindsight being what it is, did Eddie Howe make the right call giving Alexander Isak a full game?
It was low risk given that it was the end of the season, but Isak had been called up to represent Sweden in upcoming friendlies against Hungary and Senegal.
Now, just two days after that game against Everton, the 25-year-old has pulled out of the international squad.
Isak's groin injury isn't thought to be a big issue
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Isak's groin issue isn't said to be one that will require surgery, rather just a bit of strengthening, but Sweden's FA have been cautious with their world-class star and released a statement confirming his withdrawal (h/t [Newcastle World](https://www.newcastleworld.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/official-alexander-isak-statement-as-newcastle-united-make-surgery-decision-5148681?r=8529)).
> “Alexander Isak withdraws from the upcoming national team training camp. National team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson calls up Jordan Larsson, FC Copenhagen, and Gustaf Nilsson, Club Brugge, to the squad.“In early June, the men's national team will hold its last training camp of the spring. During the training camp, two friendly matches await. On National Day, there will be a match against Hungary away and on June 10, Algeria will come to Strawberry Arena.
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> “After the weekend, however, it is clear that Newcastle striker Alexander Isak will be forced to withdraw due to a minor injury. The offensive duo FCK's Jordan Larsson and Club Brugge's Gustaf Nilsson have now been selected for the collection.”