Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has provided an update on Alexander Isak ’s fitness ahead of the Carabao Cup final. Isak missed Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday with a slight groin problem but returned to the starting lineup for their dramatic FA Cup fifth round defeat to Brighton on Sunday.

Liverpool fans are already looking ahead to this month’s Carabao Cup final and may have been handed a major boost in the form of Alexander Isak’s fitness.

Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon was also shown a straight red card in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton, ruling him out of the Carabao Cup final.

Eddie Howe has provided an encouraging update on Newcastle ’s Alexander Isak with the striker’s groin injury not thought to be a long-term problem. Fears of a lay-off for the club’s free-scoring forward were sparked when he missed the midweek defeat to Liverpool, with Callum Wilson starting in his stead up front.

Ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in two weeks' time, the Magpies have plenty to contend with, particularly following a dramatic FA Cup defeat at St James' Park on Sunday

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is unsure whether he will have his top scorer Alexander Isak available for Sunday's FA Cup fifth round match against Brighton, but is positive the striker is not facing a long layoff.

Alexander Isak ’s groin injury is not serious, but Eddie Howe will not be taking any risks with his in-form striker, confirms the Newcastle manager. The Swedish star missed the Magpie’s defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, left out of the squad due to the groin issue.

Newcastle are heading for a huge summer as they bid to get their project back on track, with Eddie Howe having held high-level meetings with club bosses over recent days

Eddie Howe has questioned whether Liverpool’s win over Newcastle United will impact the forthcoming Wembley showdown – but is confident the absent Alexander Isak will be fit for the game. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister earned the Reds a 2-0 Premier League home win on Wednesday to move 13 points clear at the top of the table.

Alexander Isak had scored a brace against Nottingham Forest in the game prior to the Liverpool loss and has scored twice in each of Newcastle's last three wins in the Premier League

Eddie Howe has rejected suggestions that Newcastle United are a one-man team dependent on Alexander Isak. A groin issue forced Isak to miss the 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool on Wednesday.