Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and striker Alexander Isak
Eddie Howe has made a decision over Alexander Isak amid links with a move to Liverpool
Newcastle United have not included Alexander Isak in their side for the Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park. The striker has been the subject of intense speculation this summer with Liverpool bidding earlier this month.
Isak has been keen to secure a departure from St James' Park and as such is not currently in head coach Eddie Howe's plans. Meanwhile , who saw , do not plan to bid again as things stand.
The 25-year-old has missed the entirety of Newcastle's pre-season schedule and Howe had hinted he would not be included when the season started. This has now been confirmed with team news released this Saturday lunchtime.
Newcastle's first line-up of the new season features the attacking trio of Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon. The latter, who is naturally a left-sided winger, presumably starts centrally as he had been doing in Isak's place during pre-season.
On the bench Howe has Jacob Murphy and William Osula to call upon, but no Isak.
The Sweden international finished the last Premier League season as the second-highest goalscorer with 23 strikes, sitting behind Liverpool's . His absence is therefore expected to be a big miss for the Magpies.
They face Aston Villa at Villa Park to begin the 2025/26 campaign then up next is their first home fixture against Arne Slot's Reds on Monday, August 25.
Despite the , his manager has freshly admitted that there may be a way for the striker to rejoin his squad in future.
"Yes, I believe there is [a way back]," Howe told . 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."
Asked if Isak could play for Newcastle before the transfer window closes on September 1, he added: "I don’t know. As I sit here now I don’t know that. Alex will control that.
"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."
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