Nottingham Forest star axed from squad ahead of Newcastle United clash – in-form duo included

The Magpies head to the City Ground aiming for back-to-back Premier League wins after ending a run of five without victory against Arsenal at the weekend. Alexander Isak netted the winner against the Gunners, his third goal in as many games having scored in successive matches against Chelsea.

Isak has been called up to the Sweden squad for their forthcoming Nations League games, and his return to form and fitness coincides well with the Magpies’ struggles in front of goal this season. Isak missed Sweden’s previous two games due to a fractured toe, but Jon Dahl Tomasson has added him and Emil Krafth to the squad for their forthcoming international break games against Slovakia and Azerbaijan.

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However, Isak’s inclusion in the squad means Tomasson faces a big call on who to leave out, with Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga having been cut from the squad. Elanga was linked with a move to Newcastle United during the summer but is yet to score in 11 appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this season.

Speaking about the decision to omit the former Manchester United man, Tomasson said: “Players come in, players come out of the squad. Football is cruel. There is a lot of competition.

“Isak is back and [Emil] Forsberg has done well for the New York Red Bulls, with goals and assists. It’s football. We needed to make a decision.”

In addition, Tomasson disclosed that he has attempted to get in touch with Elanga regarding his exclusion from the team but has been unable. With a victory putting them just one point behind Forest in the Premier League standings going into the international break, Isak and Krafth might play Elanga at the City Ground on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Sunday’s opponents are among the Premier League’s best teams, and their victory over West Ham over the weekend—albeit against ten men—was the first time Forest had won three straight top-flight games since 1998.