Eddie Howe now rules out Alexander Isak from Bromley game after hamstring injury scare

Eddie Howe was always going to make big changes to his squad for the upcoming FA Cup third-round tie with Bromley on Sunday.

The Newcastle United manager gave his first-team stars a few days off after the win against Arsenal on Tuesday night following a hectic festive schedule and three away games in a row.

Indeed, Howe had mentioned how a few of his players were complaining of muscle tweaks at half time on Tuesday night which is what drove some of his substitutions on the night.

Most concerning was that Alexander Isak was complaining of a tight hamstring but was still sent out for the second half before being hooked on the hour mark.

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Eddie Howe will rest Alexander Isak on Sunday

Facing the media this morning ahead of the Bromley game (via The Chronicle), Howe was asked for an update on Isak and it was good news on the whole.

"We think he's pretty good. He's seeing his physio at the moment, having a couple of days rest.

"We think he's in a good place and he'll report back tomorrow. Initial assessments, fingers crossed he'll be OK. We would probably have involved him in some way but I think he'll be given this game to rest."

We can't begrudge Alexander Isak a bit of time off after this last month

We had expected young Will Osula to be given the nod to start on Sunday anyway, but now it appears that Howe's options will be limited should he need to change things up with Isak likely to be watching from the stands rather than the bench.

We'll still have Joelinton and Anthony Gordon who could move to centre-forward if we get desperate, though.

The main thing is that Isak is rested and ready to come back for Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.