Alexander Isak Not Part Of Newcastle Squad For Pre-season Friendlies In Asia

Alexander Isak has not travelled pinch his Newcastle teammates for their pre-season friendlies successful Asia. The nine said nan striker, who had been a target for Liverpool, had a insignificant thigh injury.

Newcastle play Arsenal successful Singapore connected Sunday earlier travelling to South Korea to look a K League XI and Tottenham. Isak was nan only notable absentee named by Newcastle, who person taken a squad of 30 players.

The Swede missed past Saturday’s friends astatine Celtic aft a training campy successful Austria. Eddie Howe said past of Isak’s absence: “It was my decision. He travelled backmost to Glasgow pinch america but I decided to nonstop him location owed to nan speculation astir him. The past point he wanted is to beryllium sat successful nan guidelines watching, that wasn’t adjacent to him. But I’m assured he will beryllium a Newcastle subordinate travel nan extremity of nan window.”

Newcastle person many times reiterated their determination to support Isak and immoderate imaginable of nan 25-year-old joining Liverpool this summertime appears complete aft nan Premier League champions signed Hugo Ekitiké. Liverpool were consenting to salary a British grounds transportation interest to make Isak their caller No 9.

Newcastle besides bid for Ekitiké, prompting intensified speculation that Isak could beryllium heading for nan St James’ Park exit, but nan nine maintained Howe’s scheme was to play Isak alongside Ekitiké. Newcastle person been exploring, among different options, a imaginable effort to enlistee Brentford’s Yoane Wissa to alternate betwixt partnering and understudying Isak.

Isak is contracted to Newcastle until 2028 and has, truthful far, indicated nary awesome enthusiasm for an extended deal, which makes it look apt he will activity a move adjacent summertime astatine nan latest.

Howe, pressed connected Isak’s early aft nan Celtic game, said: “It’s difficult for maine to springiness 100% clarity connected immoderate player. Alex is happy astatine Newcastle, he loves nan players, nan staff, nan team. I’m assured he’ll beryllium present astatine nan commencement of nan season. Yes, I’ve had discussions pinch him but that’s not abnormal. I respect a player’s profession and really short it is. Alex has been really good, he’s trained really good and I realise there’ll beryllium sound astir him.”