Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak was nowhere to be seen at St James' Park during the 2-2 draw with Espanyol
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United with Eddie Howe the head coach / manager of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at St James' Park on February 23, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he has not given up on Alexander Isak playing for the Magpies again - but hinted that the future is looking ominous for the Sweden striker.
In a 14-minute late night meeting with assembled journalists after the 2-2 draw with Espanyol, Howe emerged over 45 minutes after the game and chose his words careful amid Liverpool's intense interest in the forward.
When asked by Chronicle Live whether he'd seen enough to suggest that Isak has shown any intent to play for the club again, Howe said he had not got as far as an answer from the man he paid £63million for.
Howe told Chronicle Live: "I don't think we have gone into that, we have had discussions but we have not gone there. I am probably best not to comment."
Howe was then asked if he himself felt that Isak could genuinely play again for the club, replying: "Well he is here and he is contracted to us. So as long as he is in that position, there is a chance that he could play for Newcastle again.
"I don't know what the future will hold."
Howe said that if it was possible to stop Isak leaving completely he would have done that by now. He added: "I don't think it is that straight-forward otherwise we'd do that a long time ago. Otherwise we'd have done it.
"I don't think we are in a position to do that currently. I don't want to go into too much detail I don't think that is right, I think I have said enough."
But the reality is that Newcastle have at least got Isak around the table again and fresh talks since his Far East snub have taken place.
Howe, speaking after the 2-2 draw with Espanyol, continued: "We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment we can’t have him involved with the group.
"I don’t know how long that will be for. It’s clear I can’t involve him with the team at the moment. He is training later than the rest of the squad. There have been discussions since the tour.
"I don’t think disciplinary action has happened. He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle. From our perspective, we would love to have him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen."
It was also confirmed that Isak is now fit and available, Howe said: "His thigh injury has recovered. He has no fitness issues.
"We would love there to be a way back but, ultimately, that's going to rest with Alex. For us, he's still very much our player. But the situation is what it is - and I have to focus on the players that are here and fit, and want to play."