Eddie Howe says Alexander Isak will control whether he plays for Newcastle before the transfer deadline, confirming the striker’s self-imposed exile.
Daily Mail Sport revealed on Friday that the Swede was on strike and refusing to train with the squad as he attempts to force a move to Liverpool.
Isak will miss Saturday’s Premier League opener at Aston Villa – his absence will incur a club fine – and there appears to be no chance of him featuring against Liverpool or Leeds before the month is out, even though Howe wants him to play.
The head coach was asked on Friday if the 25-year-old could return to the squad in August.
‘As I sit here now, I don’t know that. Alex will control that,’ said Howe. ‘Alex’s situation has been unchanged for a while and that will continue to be the case, I think.’
Does Howe want him to play?
Eddie Howe says Alexander Isak will control whether he plays for Newcastle before the transfer deadline
Daily Mail Sport revealed on Friday that the Swede was on strike and refusing to train with the squad
‘Of course, I’ve said many times I want him to train and play,’ said the Newcastle boss. ‘I’ve had those conversations with him, but the details of these conversations need to remain private.’
Howe added: ‘It (training alone) is not something you ever want to see. You want to see him with the squad, you want to see him happy and enjoying his football. He is contracted to us. He is here, so for me, that is an unfortunate situation.’
Howe is open to reintegrating Isak into the squad – before or after the transfer deadline – but he knows of the player’s desire to move to Anfield.
‘All options and potential scenarios are open and available to Alex, I don’t think any door is closed,’ he said. ‘Ultimately, it’s going to depend on him and what happens in his situation. He will dictate that to a degree and we will facilitate that – and obviously try to get the best result for us and Newcastle.’
Howe, though, still believes there is way back for Isak at Newcastle.
‘Yes, I believe there is,’ he said. ‘But of course, discussions and talks would need to take place for that to happen. But that’s for another day. Today is Aston Villa and making sure we perform as well as we can.’
Newcastle are hoping to close a deal for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa next week, but have failed to land moves for Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko this summer. Had one of those came in, it is likely Isak would already be on his way to Liverpool.
The Magpies are running out of options now when it comes to finding a replacement for Isak, and Howe was asked if he could cope with a scenario whereby it was one new signing plus Anthony Gordon as his striking options until January.
Howe is open to reintegrating Isak into the squad – before or after the transfer deadline – but he knows of the player’s desire to move to Anfield
‘I will go with whatever hand I’m dealt, that has always been my way of thinking,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to give excuses or look for excuses, because that spreads right through the squad. The ideal would be that we sign a striker. We need one irrespective of what happens to Alex’s situation. With the amount of games we need that, and that’s what we’re trying to do.’
Howe was also keen to stress that Isak’s rise has come about because of the support of all inside Newcastle.
‘Me and Alex have enjoyed a great relationship and I don’t think he’d have done as well as he’s done without that, and without his team-mates and the supporters and the backing of the whole football club,’ said Howe.
‘He recognises that as well. He’s a highly intelligent person and he knows he wouldn’t have the success here without everybody connected with Newcastle.
‘I think Alex would be the first person to acknowledge that as well, he’s not ever given any indication that he has done this on his own, his career progression.
‘The team has to function for any centre-forward to score. He’s the first to admit that his love for his team-mates and the style of play has greatly helped him. There is certainly no issue on that side.
‘This is a different moment for him and us and we’re working through that together.’
