Isak was forced to miss last week’s defeat at Arsenal with a groin problem and the striker hasn’t yet resumed training with the Newcastle first team.
But Howe isn’t ruling out the prospect of Isak being involved on Sunday.
The hope is that Isak feels ready to train with the group on Saturday, after which Howe will make a final decision on the striker and his team selection for the must-win final game of the season.
“He’s doing OK. He hasn’t trained with us yet, but he’s made good progress throughout the week,” said Howe on Isak.
“The next couple of days will be absolutely crucial to his availability on Sunday.
“Until he trains with us we won’t know how he will cope with the demands we put upon us.
“We will leave it until tomorrow, but this week he has been training just individually and building up his load. He has been running and feels OK at the moment, but running is one thing and kicking a ball is another.
“He has to be fit enough to give his best for him to play.”
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Kieran Trippier has missed Newcastle’s last two Premier League games and is in a similar position to Isak, with Howe hoping the experienced defender is available to resume training on Saturday.
“It’s a similar situation to Alex,” said the head coach.
“He hasn’t trained with us yet. He’s had an absence of two, two-and-a-half weeks but has a chance in the next couple of days to build up his load and maybe we will see him train tomorrow. Let’s wait and see.”
But one player who definitely won’t be involved on Sunday is Joelinton, who is now in a knee brace after having another injection to try and manage the injury that has sidelined the midfielder since the defeat at Aston Villa in mid-April.
Newcastle will continue to work closely with Joelinton beyond Sunday’s season closing fixture to ensure he’s completely over the injury and back to full fitness for when the players return for the start of pre-season.
“No, he won’t be back [on Sunday],” said Howe.
“He’s had another injection in his knee, which was always on the cards potentially for him so he’s in a knee brace as a protection from that injection. He’s making good progress. We envisage he will be back for pre-season with no problems.”
Newcastle host Everton on Sunday knowing a victory will be enough to guarantee a top five finish and a return to the Champions League. If the Magpies fail to win, they need to hope Aston Villa don’t better their result.
Howe said: “I don’t think we can look for any favours from anybody. We have to do our bit and that’s going to be the only thing on our minds. There will be no talk of other results or other teams. What will be will be in that respect. Afterwards we will see and reflect but for us we know what we have to do.
“It’s by no means a given. Everton are in good form, they are difficult to beat. They have not conceded a lot of goals so we know the challenge is a big one. They’ve got threats in their team as well so we’re going to need to be focused and concentrate on what we need to do to win the game. Hopefully, then, the crowd can carry us through.
“Training has been lively this week. The lads have been in good spirits. I think they’re looking forward to the challenge we face on Sunday and what should be a great atmosphere, a great occasion. Hopefully that consistency in performance that we have had for a long time continues. Certainly I know that the desire to do well is there and hopefully we can put it all together.”
