Alexander Isak fitness update ahead of Burnley clash

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Alexander Isak does not arrive on Merseyside in peak physical condition.

Isak’s last competitive appearance for Newcastle came on May 25, in a 90-minute outing against Everton.

Since then, the 25-year-old has managed just 18 minutes of football – a brief cameo off the bench for Sweden against Kosovo on September 9, marking his first appearance in 106 days.

Newcastle’s medical staff had harboured significant reservations about Isak’s physical condition before his departure and had reportedly drawn up a fitness plan for him in case he ended up being reintegrated in Eddie Howe’s side.

According to reports, the Magpies’ coaching team believed it would take the striker until after the October international break to reach his best levels.

And speaking to reporters in his pre-Burnley press conference, Arne Slot has told supporters to expect to see little of Isak this weekend:

“First of all, the Swedish manager [Jon Dahl] Tomasson deserves a big compliment because he gets maybe the best striker in the world in and needs him for his country but understands that playing him might result in injuries, so he took care of the player and he deserves a big compliment for that.

“We will treat Alex the same, so don’t expect 90 mins every week, he missed pre-season and team sessions so we have to build him up gradually.”

“But that will be a challenge but we have signed him for six years, so this is what the fans have to keep in mind if I bring him in.”

Slot was also quizzed on some of the criticism aimed at Isak for how he forced through a move to Liverpool:

“In football, there’s always criticism, sometimes they cheer for us; after the League Cup they were happy with him, in other moments you get criticised, this is part of his life, my life and now he is a player for us.”

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