Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has provided an update regarding the fitness of summer signing, Alexander Isak, ahead of Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace.

What's the word?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday - via The Athletic - the 44-year-old insisted that he was hopeful the Sweden international would be available to feature against Patrick Vieira's side, following a recent injury scare.

The former Real Sociedad gem - who arrived at St James' Park on a £59m deal late in the window - was forced off on debut in the recent defeat to Liverpool in midweek, with Howe revealing that he had suffered a "dead leg" in that clash at Anfield.

The Magpies are already short on options offensively with fellow centre-forward Callum Wilson still set to be absent, with the Englishman currently sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Massive for Howe

With Wilson set to be unavailable today, it would no doubt be massive for the Tynesiders to have Isak in their ranks for the upcoming clash with the Eagles, with the youngster having sparkled in his first outing for the club on Tuesday night.

The 37-cap gem fired his new side ahead midway through the first half with a devastating finish past a helpless Alisson, latching onto a delightful threaded pass from Sean Longstaff before lashing the ball high into the roof of the net.

After what had been a protracted switch to the Premier League outfit - with the northeast side previously abandoning a deal for the 6 foot 4 sensation - that stunning effort was seemingly the perfect way for the striker to mark his delayed arrival in England, with Newcastle supporters no doubt hoping for more of the same in the weeks, months and years to come.

Although still early days, the £27m-rated man has already set tongues wagging following that display on Merseyside, notably producing another ruthless finish after the break after showcasing some brilliant composure in the opposition box, only for the effort to be subsequently ruled out for offside.

Having been starved of a real, top-quality marksman for a number of years - with the injury-prone Wilson simply unable to stay fit - it would no doubt have been refreshing for those of a Magpies persuasion to see such an eye-catching display against an elite-level opponent.

The hope will be that the one-time Borussia Dortmund man is available to build on that bright showing later today, with his absence likely to see Chris Wood thrust into the action in attack - a player who has scored just three goals since his arrival in January.

Howe will no doubt be praying to have his new addition fit and firing.