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Alexander Isak's inclusion in Newcastle United's final game of the season remains up in the air - but Eddie Howe insists the striker's groin injury is not serious enough for
him to require surgery this summer. The Swede missed Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal despite travelling to the capital as part of the Magpies' matchday squad. Isak felt an issue in
his groin after the club's last training session and has already been sent for a scan to check the severity of the injury. The former Borussia Dortmund attacker missed United's 2-0
loss at Liverpool in February with a similar issue and has since, at times, looked a shade of his usual self despite scoring four goals in his last eight Premier League outings. That has
led to increased speculation Isak is nursing a prolonged problem that will need addressing behind the scenes in the summer. However Howe, speaking after the Arsenal clash, said: "I
don't think it is a surgery issue. It's not something that needs mending. "It is certainly something that needs looking at as to why he's getting groin complaints. But
yeah it is definitely not a surgery issue it's what is he doing to strengthen that area, which we will look at and focus on." Isak's absence undoubtedly hurt Newcastle at the
Emirates, with Howe's side looking toothless during the second-half in the capital. The away side started bright, however, testing David Raya with five shots on target inside the
opening 17 minutes. The result means Newcastle head into the final weekend of the season needing a result against Everton at St James' Park to guarantee their place in the Champions
League next season. Isak will be assessed this week before a decision is made over whether he will feature in the finale. "A lot depends on how he will react in the next few days,"
Howe added. "He has had a couple of groin injuries either side, this is one he had earlier in the season."