Newcastle United's superb start to the season is made all the more remarkable by the absences Eddie Howe has had to contend with. However, it means the Magpies boss could have a headache on his hands if Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin return to full fitness as expected by the time the Premier League returns.
Injuries have limited both to a peripheral role so far this term, with club-record signing Isak so far making just three appearances in black-and-white. Saint-Maximin enjoyed a blistering start to the season, but a recurrent hamstring complaint has hampered his attempts to return to action.
Newcastle fans have so far been denied the tantalising prospect of the duo joining number nine Callum Wilson in attack. It was a front three many initially anticipated would form part of the club's strongest starting eleven, but only a matter of months on and that scenario now looks far from a foregone conclusion.
