Injured Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon receive updates before Newcastle's Arsenal clash

The Magpies are set to face off against the Gunners at St. James' Park in Saturday's early kick-off, as Mikel Arteta's side grapples with a number of injury concerns, especially in their defensive line.

But Howe is facing his own fitness problems, with the Newcastle boss revealing in Friday’s press conference that he’ll have to make some late decisions on his starting XI.

This comes after the Magpies played Chelsea twice in the last week, losing 2-1 in the Premier League and winning 2-0 in the Carabao Cup.

Striker Isak, a transfer target for Arsenal, started both games and Howe suggested that he and others in the same position may have to be dropped for the visit of the Gunners.

Forward Gordon meanwhile missed the league defeat against the Blues due to a groin injury and though he returned to start the cup win it may be risky throwing him into the line-up again.

‘It will be a tough ask physically for someone to play all three games in six days,’ Howe said.

‘They both feel OK, we will assess how they feel today, 48 hours after the game. They have both had niggling injuries, Alex has his toe, Anthony his groin, so we’ll make a decision today.

‘We need to make sure whoever enters the pitch against Arsenal is in the best physical condition. We will pick a team for Saturday according to physical wellbeing and our opponent.’

In addition to Isak, Lewis Hall, Fabian Schar, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton all started both Chelsea games and could all potentially be dropped to the bench for Arsenal.

One player who certainly will miss the match is Callum Wilson as the veteran striker continues to recover from a back injury.

It was thought that he was close to a return and a first appearance of the season but Howe now says he won’t rush his rehabilitation and won’t be back in action until after the November international break.

‘Callum is doing okay, he’s building his load again,’ the manager added.

‘There was no real injury but just a feeling in his body that he couldn’t push as hard as he wanted. We’ll see how he is but probably with the two-week gap it’s best to leave it.’

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