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Eddie Howe has expressed that Alexander Isak is "very motivated" to strike against Liverpool in the upcoming Carabao Cup final.

Despite only featuring for 45 minutes in Newcastle's loss to Manchester United at Wembley two years ago, Isak emerges as the Magpies' leading goal-scorer with a tally of 19 this season, although he's recently been sidelined with muscle tightness.

Even after being notably absent from Howe’s line-up during Newcastle’s recent 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, Isak is poised to return against West Ham United on Monday.

If he emerges unscathed from this encounter, Howe is confident Isak will be eager to challenge Liverpool at Wembley.

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Goalscorers have that mentality and he’s got it, so hopefully he is able to take his place on the pitch and do that."

When quizzed about the likelihood of Isak playing against West Ham, Howe acknowledged: "Fingers crossed, yeah

As I said, if he is fit, he will play because that is the best way to get him in the best physical condition for future games.

"Footballers are finely tuned athletes and when they are ready to play they have to play

I understand the intense sort of speculation and spotlight on him but the best thing we can do is just relax and let him play his football."

Newcastle already has a number of injury issues to deal with ahead of the Wembley final
For more news relating to West Ham, visit our sister site WHU Latest Live.