---
title: "Newcastle: Journalist claims Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson may not play together"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-team-news-alexander-isak-callum-wilson/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Aaron Hindhaugh"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2023-02-09T20:05:56Z"
modified: "2023-02-09T20:05:56Z"
---

# Newcastle: Journalist claims Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson may not play together

**Chronicle Live’s Andrew Musgrove believes [Newcastle United’s](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) lack of striker depth could mean Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson rarely play at the same time.**

### The Lowdown: Depth a concern for Howe

Something that may have surprised people during the January transfer window was the lack of signings Newcastle made despite having a wealthy ownership running the club.

However, [Eddie Howe was keen to emphasise](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11585361/Eddie-Howe-vows-mega-rich-Newcastle-wont-handcuff-spending-big-January.html) how crucial it was that they respected Financial Fair Play rules, although letting Jonjo Shelvey go without a replacement being lined up seemed a bizarre decision.

Newcastle now [lack depth in key positions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/kadernachposition/verein/762) heading into the final stretch of this season, with Howe only being able to call upon three central midfielders and two strikers at the moment – and [both of his senior forwards](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alexander-isak/verletzungen/spieler/349066) have had [questionable injury records](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/callum-wilson/verletzungen/spieler/123682) this season.

### The Latest: One of Isak and Wilson to miss out

While Newcastle have struggled for goals in recent weeks – just [two in their last five games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/spielplandatum/verein/762) – Musgrove claimed on the [Everything is Black and White podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIdgzoXRzuQ) that he can’t see Howe starting both Isak and Wilson at the same time.

He said: “I think \[Isak\] has shown in the appearances against Southampton in the cup that he’s definitely a first-team player, but I just wonder whether the fact they’ve only got two recognised strikers to get them to the end of the season will also play a factor.

“You would love to play them both, I think it would work – no doubt it would work. But I just wonder whether that does play a part in why Eddie Howe might not do it.”

### The Verdict: Howe must be bold

The Magpies have indeed been struggling in the final third since the resumption of club football, with Howe’s side boasting just a [10% shot-conversion rate in the Premier League](https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1623635221059969026?s=20&t=E7rLzTms9C2I9qSlerpeLA), which is quite alarming.

Considering that Wilson did scored in the last game against West Ham – despite [missing two more glorious chances](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUCpDSJxb3g) – it could be considered a shock to see him dropped in place of Isak, although Howe has insisted the Sweden international has been ‘[vital](https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1621451108223750145?s=20&t=E7rLzTms9C2I9qSlerpeLA)‘ for the Magpies in the past, and it is worth noting the [amount of money](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/12681193/alexander-isak-newcastle-sign-striker-from-real-sociedad-for-club-record-63m) they paid for Isak in the first place.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418867″\]

Given that Newcastle are taking on a Bournemouth side that [sit bottom of the form table](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/formtabelle/wettbewerb/GB1/saison_id/2022) and have [scored just one goal since Gary O’Neil got the job on a permanent basis](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/afc-bournemouth/spielplandatum/verein/989), this could be the perfect chance to make a statement and show they are still a good enough side to make the top four – and doing this by starting two strikers could put fear into a shaky Cherries defence.