Howe is not safe for Isaac fitness for the last day after Newcastle’s defeat in Arsenal

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe couldn’t tell if Alexander Isak would be suitable for their Premier League final against Everton after missing their 1-0 defeat of Arsenal.

Isaac was a surprising omission from a team with a groin injury, and the absence of a man who has 27 goals at all competitions this season was a sharp sense of Emites Stadium.

Newcastle dominated in the first half, but David Ray found in extraordinary form for Arsenal because he achieved five savings to retain the results.

Arsenal was much improved in the second half, and the amazing effort of Declan Rice, tried to play, and Newcastle still needed a win over Everton on the last day of next Sunday to be sure of the Champions League football next season.

Newcastle is expected to claim that they will win, but their task will be harder if the Isak is not included, Callum Wilson struggled to make an impact against Arsenal.

“He has a little swelling in the groin muscles. So hopefully he will be fine, but we don’t know how to happen next week,” Howe told BBC Sport about his star fitness.

“Obviously, it’s a quick turn, so he only has seven days to fit in. The fingers crossed we can get there.”

Howe added: “From our perspective, Newcastle’s decline in the after -interval has become too passive.

“We were a little fluttering at the ball at the beginning of that second half, where we were excellent on the ball before.

“I think you need to learn things, but I think you have such spells outside the house, but I think we may not have adapted quickly enough.

“I think we have to take over all the positive results from that first half, we looked strong, dangerous. We were a real counterbalance in the game.

“I thought we were pretty well defended. Nick (Pope) didn’t have much work to do in the game. Disappointed that I always lost, we feel we can do better, but it was a really strong performance.”