Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon injury update given as Newcastle run fitness checks before Arsenal

Newcastle United will run late fitness checks on Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon after coming back from "niggling injuries".

Isak is facing his third game in less than a week while Gordon is hoping to be involved after just coming back from a groin injury which kept home out of the clash with Chelsea. Isak and Gordon will be key if Newcastle are to record another famous win over the Gunners.

Howe, speaking at his press conference ahead of the Arsenal clash, said: "They both feel OK, we will assess how they feel today, 48 hours after the game. They have both had niggling injuries so we’ll make a decision today. We need to make sure whoever enters the pitch against Arsenal is in the best physical condition."

Howe has some big decisions to make given the changes he made against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup all paid off. Sean Longstaff, Lloyd Kelly and Emil Krafth were outstanding but could return to the bench.

As Newcastle hope to take some of the euphoria from the midweek tie into the lunchtime battle against Arsenal, reflecting on his selection headache, Howe said: "It was good to see so many players performing. A lot of players that came in did themselves no harm at all.

"It was good to be able to rotate some of the squad to see the strength and depth that we have in certain positions. I think three games in six days for us is a challenge, especially with an early kick-off again.

"So we're gonna have to see how the players are physically pick the team according to physical well-being."

Howe has now had time to digest the result against Chelsea and after losing to Brighton & Hove Albion narrowly then coming close to a point at Stamford Bridge - and he felt his team were rewarded for their latest performance with the right result.

The former AFC Bournemouth manager said: "I was really pleased with the response from the players. It wasn't an easy game - it was never going to be. But I thought our performance was very good. Thankfully we got the reward for that performance. Two good goals, clean sheet as well. So it was a good night."

Newcastle also discovered their fate in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a home test against Brentford coming up. Commenting on the draw for the first time, Howe said: "Yeah I think whenever you go into the draw, the home aspect is really important for us. The environment was second to none [vs Chelsea]. I can't thank the supporters enough for that. That helped us massively.

"Tough game against Brentford but we're looking forward to it."