May 19. That was the last time Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson were on the same team sheet together. The wait might soon be over.
Although Isak and Wilson have yet to return to training with the group, Newcastle United hope to have the £83m pair back in the squad following the international break. That feels like a timely boost. After all, not only do Newcastle have massive fixtures against Brighton, Chelsea (in the league and cup) and Arsenal to come; the Magpies sorely missed a focal point in a goalless draw at Everton on Saturday evening.
Anthony Gordon again led the line tirelessly, but there were occasions where a cross came into the box and no one was there to attack the ball or moments when the visitors failed to even hit the target from a dangerous position. In fact, Jordan Pickford did not even have a save to make in the second half and just 21% of Newcastle's shots at Goodison Park were on target during the entire game. Considering Newcastle had 42 touches inside the box, that was a paltry return.
It is a little simplistic to say that Newcastle would have won if a fit and firing Isak or Wilson were on the field - the former had just one goal to his name this season before his toe injury - but the pair could have at least taken some of the pressure off Gordon, whether it was the first-half penalty the forward missed in their absence or the one-on-one chance he fired over the bar late on. Newcastle certainly look a different side when Isak and Wilson are on song. Is.