Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has revealed he may make another bid to change Alexander Isak's stance. The Sweden striker hasn't featured for the Magpies in competitive action since last season concluded and is now severely lacking match sharpness.
Isak, who is understood to have been counselled to hold firm for a switch to Liverpool, must now await whether the Reds come back to the negotiating table with a renewed offer for his signature. Howe is declining to close the door completely on Isak despite his dubious conduct and alleged unwillingness to turn out for Newcastle once more.
When questioned if there remained a route back into the squad, Howe, addressing his press conference before the Aston Villa clash, responded: "Yes, I believe there is.
"But, of course, discussions and talks would need to take place for that to happen. But, again, that's for another day.
"Today is Aston Villa and making sure we perform as well as we can. I understand why your questions are filled with that subject but it doesn't really help as at this moment."
Howe has also suggested that Isak's destiny lies fundamentally in his own grasp and when pressed if the former Borussia Dortmund star will feature before the window closes, he continued: "I don't know. As I sit here now I don't know that. Alex will control that."
Going into the new season, it's abundantly clear that Howe is eager to bring Isak back into the fold. He stated: "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 (him training alone) is an unfortunate situation.
"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 teammates and the supporters and the backing of the whole football club.
"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.
"This is a different moment for him and us and we're working through that together."