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<\/a><\/p>\nNEWCASTLE (Reuters) – Alexander Isak took a while before starting to justify Newcastle United’s club record outlay but as the season nears its end, the Swedish striker is fast becoming a St James’s Park idol.<\/p>\n
Isak reached double figures for the season with two goals in last weekend’s 6-1 rout of Tottenham Hotspur and now has four goals in his last five games as Newcastle accelerate towards a Champions League berth for the first time in two decades.<\/p>\n
The rangy forward’s silky movement and clinical finishing have drawn comparisons with Arsenal great Thierry Henry and manager Eddie Howe said he can understand why.<\/p>\n
“Everyone is different, there are no two players that are the same, but I do think he has some of the characteristics Thierry had,” Howe told reporters on Friday ahead of Newcastle’s home clash against bottom club Southampton.<\/p>\n
Isak, who cost 70 million euros from Real Sociedad, produced a mazy run to set up a tap-in for Jacob Murphy in the 4-1 demolition of Everton on Thursday which put Newcastle on the brink of securing a top-four finish.<\/p>\n
“He’s got the speed and a similar build and frame. The footwork for the assist (against Everton) was truly remarkable, and I think he’s got a lot of potential to improve and get better so it’s been a great, great start for him here.”<\/p>\n
Newcastle are third with 62 points, eight ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.<\/p>\n
Anything less than maximum points against a Southampton side six points adrift of the safety zone on Sunday would be a huge surprise, but Howe is taking nothing for granted.<\/p>\n
“It’s a difficult game. I think they are fighting. I watched the Arsenal game very recently — they were very good against the league leaders, they scored three goals and looked a real threat in transitions and set plays,” Howe said.<\/p>\n
“Things are going well and we’re not taking that for granted because we know quickly it can change, but we’re enjoying the feeling we’re having and long may that continue.<\/p>\n
“I think there’s a real confidence about the group of players we have — regardless of who we pick.”<\/p>\n
Newcastle’s only concern is the continued absence of winger Allan Saint-Maximin because of a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
“He won’t be available for Sunday — maybe the game after, but no guarantee at this moment,” Howe said.<\/p>\n
\n(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)<\/p>\n
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