Alexander Isak was absent from the Newcastle squad which was beaten by Celtic in a pre-season friendly on Saturday - and Eddie Howe then clarified why he'd been left out

Eddie Howe admits it is not possible to 100% guarantee that Alexander Isak will still be a Newcastle player at the end of the transfer window. The Magpies’ talismanic striker has been heavily linked with a British record transfer move to Liverpool this week, while Arsenal are known to have been long-standing admirers.

Alexander Isak transfer update as Newcastle confirm Liverpool target dropped for friendly - Eddie Howe is ‘desperate’ to keep the player ahead of the Magpies’ return to the Champions League