Eddie Howe has told talkSPORT that Newcastle are looking for a resolution to the ongoing Alexander Isak transfer saga.

The Swedish striker didn’t feature in the Magpies Premier League opener against Aston Villa where they drew 0-0.

4

4

That’s in part because he was banished from training after refusing to attend pre-season when the club rejected a £110million offer from Liverpool for his services.

Isak has reportedly responded by telling the club he won’t play for them again, and Howe has admitted that the ongoing saga has had an impact.

“We’re keen for a resolution because the consistent noise around the team isn’t helpful for any team,” he told Sam Matterface. 

“We’re aware of that, we would like closure on it, but we’re not in charge of when.”

Adding more on the story of the summer, Howe said: “We had to change the narrative around us really because everything was negative and sometimes that can consume you.

“We’ve consistently had players here that have fought really hard for the club in difficult circumstances before and we’ve always come through as a better team for it.

“This is a unique situation and a difficult situation for the players to handle but today I think they were brilliant in their response. 

“Today was going to be the true judge, pre-season is always a bit forced, so it was a brilliant response. I’m disappointed we didn’t win but there were so many positives to take.”

Howe was then asked if the outcome is either Isak being replaced in the transfer market, or he’s brought back into the team.

“I don’t know the answer to be honest. I’ve got no guarantee,” he responded.

4

“We are active in the market but I think you could see today by what happened on the pitch, Anthony Gordon looked very good as a centre forward, he had chances and induced a sending off with his pace. 

“So I’d rather focus on the players we have here. I’m sure the situation off the pitch will take care of itself and we’ll find out where we are pretty soon.”

Gordon’s Liverpool warning

Gordon played as a centre forward in Isak’s absence, and seemed even more hopeful the team can move on from their off-pitch distractions.

Discussing the transfer saga with TNT Sports, he said: “It has been difficult because we’re such a tight knit group, so for that to almost… 

“We’ve never had any problems publicly so that being the first thing that’s happened has tested us, but you’ve seen today we’ve still got that spirit and togetherness.

“We work on it every day and it’s never going to go away regardless of individuals, we’re a top group and our togetherness is top and it always will be.”

4

Asked if it could make their group stronger, he responded with the first of two warnings to their next opponents – Liverpool.

“Yeah it can [make us more together], but like I said we’re so together anyway,” the boyhood Liverpool fan said.

“Things like this can test you and make you better in the end and I think that’s going to be the case.

“I think with everything that’s gone on I’m sure the atmosphere is going to be a bit wild [against Liverpool].

“I’m just excited to see the home fans again and get back in the stadium, it’s going to be a top game.”