Tindall: Isak has 'a chance' of being fit for Luton clash

United welcome Rob Edwards' men to St. James' Park (kick-off 3pm GMT) looking for a third succcessive victory in all competitions.

They face a Hatters side who have lost just one of their last nine games, though, and beat United in one of those matches - a 1-0 reverse at Kenilworth Road just before Christmas.

But Tindall is hopeful that Swedish international Isak - who was forced off injured during Tuesday's 3-1 victory at Aston Villa - will have recovered in time for Saturday's game, having initially feared the frontman may be set for a longer spell on the sidelines.

Tindall was standing in for head coach Eddie Howe, who missed Friday morning's pre-match media briefing through illness. Here are some of the main topics that were up for discussion at United's Benton training base:

On Howe's absence...

"He is feeling a little bit under the weather - you know he must be feeling under the weather for him to not come out and do the press, so he sent me out to you guys today.

"In all the years I've been working with him, he's been under the weather a few times but he's always been there to lead the team."

On Isak's fitness...

"He's a lot better, he's improved. He's improved Wednesday, Thursday and this morning again there is an improvement. He will be one we have to assess after today to see if he makes tomorrow's game or not

"He's got a chance to be involved tomorrow but that's one we'll have to assess today, take advice from the medical team and see where we are."

On the Magpies' other fitness concerns...

"A couple of lads are getting closer. We've got another training session today so once training's done today, we'll assess the squad and assess where everyone is. It's certainly getting better that it was a few weeks ago/

"Harvey (Barnes), Callum Wilson, Joe Willock are pretty close. Whether they're going to be fit enough to be involved tomorrow, we'll have to make that decision later on today after training.

"There's a question mark over all three of them. Harvey and Callum are probably a little bit ahead of Joe, but still they're there out on the field doing their stuff. We just have to assess where they are and make the right call whether to involve them or not."

On Tuesday's win at Villa Park...

"It was really important - we knew we needed to get back on track with our league form especially. We had a good result at Fulham in the FA Cup and it's a really difficult place to go, Aston Villa, and get a result, as we've seen with the unbeaten record they've had at home recently.

"To go there and perform the way we did and to get the result was great for us and it gives us confidence going into the next game this weekend."

On Newcastle's recent form...

"We were more back to our old self. We have had a lot more contact time on the training ground with the team, with the players, and I think that has shown in our last two results and performances. Hopefully now that can be the springboard for us to go on and perform as everyone knows we can.

"We have come off the back of a real difficult schedule, with the run of fixtures we've had and with the amount of injuries we've had. I think that's probably shown in some of our performances. The last two performances, the last two results, have given us a lot of confidence and hopefully we can build on that."

On Luton...

"You have to give Luton a lot of credit - you have to give the manager and the coaching staff a lot of credit for their recent performances. Since they played us, they have been on a really good run. They have shown some really good form and they are a really, really diffiuclt side to play against. I think with their recent results and with the amount of goals and goal threat that they carry, they're a dangerous team.

"Credit to Luton for the way they have been performing, but you look at our performance against Aston Villa and you look at us play there and see we're back to our old selves. It should make for a really good game and hopefully we can go out there and deliver another good performance at the weekend."

On teenage midfielder Lewis Miley, who penned a new long-term deal with the club this week...

"He's an exceptional talent. At 17, to do what he has done this season, come into the team and perform as well as he has, has been a great achievement for him. We are delighted he has signed a long-term contract. Every club wants to keep all their best players and we're no different to everybody else."