Newcastle United assistant coach Jason Tindall has revealed that Alexander Isak has "a chance" of being fit for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Luton Town at St James' Park.
Isak has struggled with a number of niggling injuries throughout this season, but he has still excelled as one of Newcastle's standout performers having scored 14 goals in 25 appearances across all competitions.
The Swedish striker has netted 10 times in the Premier League this term, but he was unable to increase his tally in the 3-1 win at Aston Villa on Tuesday as he was forced off in the first half with a groin injury.
Reports had initially suggested that Isak could be facing between two and four weeks on the sidelines and would subsequently miss Newcastle's latest Premier League match against Luton this weekend.
However, Tindall has since provided a positive update on Isak's fitness at a pre-match press conference on Friday.
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Tindall, standing in for manager Eddie Howe who was absent due to illness, said: "[Isak is] a lot better, he's improved. He's improved Wednesday, Thursday and this morning again there is an improvement. He will be one we have to assess after today to see if he makes tomorrow's game or not.
"He's got a chance to be involved tomorrow but that's one we'll have to assess today, take advice from the medical team and see where we are."
On Howe's absence, Tindall added: "He is feeling a little bit under the weather – you know he must be feeling under the weather for him to not come out and do the press, so he sent me out to you guys today.
"In all the years I've been working with him, he's been under the weather a few times but he's always been there to lead the team."
Meanwhile, Tindall has confirmed that Newcastle trio Harvey Barnes (foot), Callum Wilson and Joe Willock (both calf) are all closing in on a return having spent lengthy periods in the treatment room.
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"A couple of lads are getting closer," said the Magpies assistant. "We've got another training session today so once training's done today, we'll assess the squad and assess where everyone is. It's certainly getting better that it was a few weeks ago.
"Harvey (Barnes), Callum Wilson, Joe Willock are pretty close. Whether they're going to be fit enough to be involved tomorrow, we'll have to make that decision later on today after training.
"There's a question mark over all three of them. Harvey and Callum are probably a little bit ahead of Joe, but still they're there out on the field doing their stuff. We just have to assess where they are and make the right call whether to involve them or not."
Nick Pope (shoulder), Joelinton, Matt Targett (both thigh), Elliot Anderson (back) and Jamaal Lascelles (calf) are also nursing injuries, although the latter could be in a position to return to the matchday squad on Saturday.
Newcastle – who lost 1-0 to Luton in the reverse fixture in December – currently sit eighth in the Premier League table, three points behind Manchester United in seventh and 11 points adrift of the top four.
Oliver Thomas
