Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is unsure whether he will have his top scorer Alexander Isak available for Sunday's FA Cup last-16 match against Brighton & Hove Albion, but is positive the striker is not facing a long layoff.

Newcastle United were without their main man for the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, with the Swedish striker ruled out of the matchday squad after picking up a slight groin injury. The injury isn't expected to keep him out long term with the Magpies not taking any risks and he did travel to Anfield on Wednesday night.

Eddie Howe giving the official Newcastle United injury and upcoming availability update on Alexander Isak, as well as a couple of other players: “It goes without saying how important Alexander [Isak] is to us. “I thought that you could see that tonight. “It was a late decision [to leave him out], around midday today.