Why Alexander Isak was forced off for Newcastle at half-time against Wolves

Alexander Isak was forced off at half-time in Newcastle United’s Premier League clash against Wolves after a clearance left him with a bloodied nose.

The Sweden international was named in the starting XI for Sunday evening’s clash at Molineux but was one of three players replaced at the break.

Isak, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff all made way with Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock entering the fray.

Newcastle were trailing at half-time thanks to a wonderfully worked opener from Wolves with Joao Gomes brilliantly dummying before Mario Lemina tucked it away from close range.

The decision to hook Isak left fans confused but Eddie Howe’s decision appeared to be an enforced one.

At the end of the first-half, a clearance from Wolves defender Craig Dawson caught the Newcastle striker flush in the face, bloodying his nose in the process.

Isak was treated during the break but Sky Sports reported during their live coverage of the game Newcastle’s medical staff were unable to stop the bleeding in time for him to return for the second-half, prompting Howe’s change.

‘That is a blow for Newcastle to lose Isak, you do not take him off unless he’s injured,’ Jamie Redknapp, on punditry duty, noted as the change was made.

Isak scored 25 goals for the Magpies last season but has just one to his name so far this term, coming in the 2-1 win over Tottenham prior to the international break.

Newcastle staged a dramatic second-half comeback to seal all three points with Fabian Schar’s deflected effort levelling the game.

Barnes, one of the three players brought on at the break, netted a stunning winner with 10 minutes of the game remaining.

Newcastle are back in action away to Fulham next Saturday.