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Eddie Howe says he wants Alexander Isak to play for Newcastle when the Premier League season starts next weekend, but after talks with the striker it is clear that cannot happen.
The Swede is currently trying to force a move to Liverpool and is training alone. He missed the recent Far East tour after reporting a thigh injury.
Howe says Isak is fit, but there is no chance of him rejoining his team-mates in training or featuring at Aston Villa next Saturday, as it stands.
‘We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment we can’t have him involved with the group,’ said Howe. ‘I don’t know how long that will be for. Discussions between us have to remain private, but it’s clear I can’t involve him with the team at the moment.
‘I want Alex to be playing today. I want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us, let me make that absolutely clear.
‘There is no part of me that does not want that outcome. But I don’t see the current situation changing before Aston Villa. It’s frustrating we’re missing such an important part of our team.’
Eddie Howe does not expect Alexander Isak to play in Newcastle’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa next week
The Swede is training alone as he continues to push for a British record transfer to Liverpool
William Osula led the line in Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Espanyol on Friday night with Isak not involved due to ongoing speculation
Liverpool are waiting for Newcastle to sign a striker before returning with an improved offer, after their opening £110m bid was rejected last week. Howe was asked if Isak had a future at St James’ Park.
‘He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle,’ said the head coach, speaking for the first time since returning from South Korea and Singapore.
‘Certainly, from our persecutive, everyone connected with the club, we would love to see him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen.
‘He is here and he’s contracted to us, so as long as he’s in that position, there is of course a chance he could play for Newcastle again. But I don’t know what the future will hold.’
Howe said Isak had not been disciplined by the club, but confirmed he was not training with the squad.
‘He is training later than the rest of the squad,’ he added. ‘There have been discussions since the tour, and everything that happened in between that. But in terms of disciplinary action, I don’t think that has happened.’
Could the club tell him he has to stay?
‘It’s not that straightforward, otherwise we would have done that a long time ago,’ said Howe. ‘I don’t think we’re in a position to be able to do that currently.’
And, of the thigh injury, Howe said: ‘He’s not not playing because of a fitness issue. His thigh injury has recovered. He has no fitness issues.’
