Alexander Isak remains a doubt for Sunday’s Champions League decider against Everton.
Confidential has been told that the striker’s chances of making the game are rated as 50-50, and that his inclusion in the Sweden squad for their June internationals is not an indicator of him overcoming his groin issue.
Isak missed Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal after feeling stiffness in his groin. He had travelled with the squad and underwent a scan in London.
The late withdrawal gave rise to hope among supporters that it was a precautionary measure with the Everton game in mind. So, too, did him being named in the Sweden squad this week.
However, we understand that Isak still needs to prove his fitness in the coming days. Talk of him needing a post-season operation has been played down, and the hope is that the muscle tightness eases before the weekend.
Isak’s inclusion would be a huge boost, especially given the continuation of Newcastle’s record of not having won without him (four matches) in the Premier League this season.
Alexander Isak remains a doubt for Sunday’s Champions League decider against Everton
Isak missed Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal after feeling stiffness in his groin. He had travelled with the squad and underwent a scan in London
NEW STADIUM, NEW DETAILS
Newcastle chiefs are continuing to work bureaucratic channels as the club prepare an update on the future of its home stadium.
Rather than make an announcement and then realise what they want to do is not feasible, the club have been determined to get their ducks in a row before going public with their decision.
Confidential revealed in March that the intention is to move to a new stadium on Leazes Park and a video of how that would look was presented to the owners, with club executives proposing a capacity of 65,000.
Newcastle could have released that vision at the time – much like Manchester United did with their ‘New Trafford’ design – but there remained work to be done at a local and national level of Government. The lease of Leazes Park is one such consideration.
However, Confidential can reveal some additional detail around the proposed new stadium. We understand it would be 35 metres above the St James’ Stack, protecting its visibility around the city.
The new stadium in Leazes Park will still be a ‘Cathedral on the Hill’
The proposed new stadium site, as revealed first in this column
Newcastle could have released an artist’s impression like Manchester United did with their ‘New Trafford’ design, but there was work to be done at a local and national Government level
The Cathedral on the Hill, as St James’ Park has become known, is unique in that it stands proudly above the city centre and can be seen on the approach from every direction. Staff want to maintain that feature.
I’m also hearing that the club have been working with a company monitoring stadium atmospheres this season, with the intention of getting the acoustics right inside a new venue.
Lessons have been learnt from the likes of West Ham’s London Stadium, where the atmosphere has suffered for the move to a new home. Preserving and enhancing the St James’ roar is chief among the club’s considerations when it comes to building a new home.
Construction company Laing O’Rourke are among those spoken to about the stadium project.
JACK THE LAD FOR TOON?
I’ve received multiple reports of Newcastle being in the stands at Coventry games this season, and they were again present during last week’s Championship play-off semi-final at Sunderland.
The player my spies believe they are watching is Jack Rudoni, the 23-year-old midfielder. As I’ve written in previous columns, the club’s scouts watch a lot of players and build knowledge for the day when a need or an opportunity arises.
Newcastle scouts have been watching Coventry City midfielder Jack Rudoni
Rudoni has been likened to his boss at the Sky Blues, Frank Lampard
Could Rudoni be an option if Sean Longstaff moves on this summer, keeping the quota of midfielders at six? He joined the Sky Blues for £5m from Huddersfield last year and, while operating as a No 10 of late, he can play deeper in midfield and out wide.
My sources say he is good enough to make the jump to the Premier League and there have even been comparisons to his current boss, Frank Lampard.
Rudoni assisted 13 and scored 10 this term, including both goals during a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough on the final day of the regular season, another game at which it is said Newcastle were represented.
WILL POWER
Newcastle’s work with William Osula is likely to continue into a second season with coaches encouraged by his development, and there is one secret we can reveal.
The Denmark Under 21s striker was placed next to captain Bruno Guimaraes in the home dressing room. The skipper is an infectious character and has played a key role in helping new players settle, most notably Sandro Tonali.
And it is said that Guimaraes has aided Osula in his transition to Premier League surrounds this season. When the £10m frontman scored his first goal for the club against Bromley in January, it was Guimaraes who pushed him back towards the Leazes End to enjoy a moment of personal recognition.
Osula’s progress, highlighted by his robust and energetic display during the FA Cup win at Birmingham in February and his first top-flight goal against Ipswich last month, has led staff to believe he can kick on next season and be part of a squad playing European football.
The 21-year-old’s improvement has been part of discussions regarding close-season recruitment, and that would suggest he will continue to fill the role of promising understudy in the central striker domain.
William Osula was placed next to captain Bruno Guimaraes in the home dressing room
The skipper is an infectious character and has played a key role in helping new players settle
DELAP IN DEMAND
The other option for Osula is a loan move, but that would be dependent on another young forward coming in, with Newcastle at the table for Liam Delap.
Confidential reported on March 6 that the Magpies like the Ipswich frontman and sources have stressed in recent days that they are in the running for his signature. The 22-year-old has a £30m release clause.
It has been put to us previously that Delap wants to join a club where he is going to play, and being behind Alexander Isak would limit game time.
However, if Delap wants to play for a coach and in an environment that will bring about most improvement, you’d have to say he’s better off at Newcastle than he is Manchester United or even Chelsea.
If Liam Delap wants to play for a coach and in an environment that will bring most improvement, you’d have to say he’s better off at Newcastle than he is Manchester United or even Chelsea
ISAK FUTURE HINT
Confidential can reveal something of a clue as to Newcastle’s confidence in keeping their star players this summer.
For the promotional work around the club’s new kit has included Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali – as well as Tino Asprilla!
The Colombian maverick was flown in from his home country by the club to film a video with some of the current team. That is yet to be released, but the presence of Tino is sure to make it a must-watch when the kits are revealed.
And with those star names also part of the shoot, the hope and expectation is that they will be running out in those black and white stripes come next season.
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Newcastle are considering the appointment of a technical director, Confidential can reveal.
The move has been identified as an option inside the club, adding to a football hierarchy that includes Paul Mitchell as sporting director and James Bunce as performance director.
Bunce’s work around the training ground has been well received this season and he has contributed to an improvement in player availability.
TOON TEASER
Did you get Patrick Kluivert in the list of 11 Dutchmen to play for Newcastle?
Siem de Jong had a forgettable stint on Tyneside, but did you remember him?
Last week, we asked you to name the ELEVEN Dutchmen to have played for Newcastle.
And the answers were…
Tim Krul, Gini Wijnaldum, Daryl Janmaat, Sven Botman, Patrick Kluivert, Luuk de Jong, Siem de Jong, Patrick van Aanholt, Jetro Willems, John Karelse and Frans Koenen.
