There is every chance that Alexander Isak does not face Aston Villa next weekend - and Eddie Howe is concerned about the situation
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe gestures on the touchline during the Sela Cup match at St. James' Park,
Eddie Howe has urged Alexander Isak to rejoin the main group at Newcastle United - admitting that there is a real chance he will snub being part of the squad against Aston Villa next weekend.
Howe, who led his team to a 2-2 draw against Espanyol, faced the North-East Press pack for the first time on home soil after returning from last week's trip to the Far East. He has since met Isak behind the scenes for the first time since he pulled out of the squad and missed the flight to Singapore.
Howe has asked Isak to pull on a black and white shirt but the chances are the transfer saga may have gone too far down the line. Whether we are at the point of no return remains to be seen, but Howe cut a concerned figure in his Friday night media briefing.
When asked about Isak's chances of returning, Howe told reporters: "I want him playing today and training tomorrow. No part of me doesn’t want that outcome.
"Let me be absolutely clear, we would love the player to be with us. But I don’t see the current situation changing (before Aston Villa next Sat)."
Howe confirmed behind the scenes chats with Isak but the club have not managed to move the player from solo training to the main group.
He said: "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."
Howe was also asked last night whether this was the trickiest moment of his managerial career. Not only does he have to try to persuade Isak to play but is also trying to sign a new striker.
He said: "There are loads of moments in my management career where there have been difficult situations, and it's very difficult to put one ahead of the other.
"It's probably been the most high-profile, but that doesn't mean the most challenging. You;re always dealing with issues. Every days, there's problems or decisions that you have to try to find solutions to, and this is very much in that case.
"I hope there's a positive outcome and a positive resolution whatever that looks like because the most important thing is the club and the team, not any individual."