Eddie Howe sends strong message to Alexander Isak as Liverpool saga drags on

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Alexander Isak hasn't featured for Newcastle this season(Image: PA)

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe insists it would be "detrimental" to focus too much attention on the Alexander Isak saga at the expense of the other players in his squad.

Isak has been left out of the Newcastle squad for the first two games of the season, but his potential move to Liverpool has yet to go through with just two days of the transfer window remaining.

The Magpies have missed out on a number of attacking targets as they aim to refresh up front in a summer which has already seen Callum Wilson leave St James' Park.



"And the team needs me to focus on trying to get results, that is what I have tried to do.

"Other people are dealing with that situation for me, it has been: 'Let me focus on the players are playing and can influence other results'."

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Newcastle are winless in their first two Premier League games without last season's top scorer Isak.

Joelinton will also miss out after picking up an injury on Monday night - though it's not as serious as first feared - while Fabian Schar is available and Sandro Tonali is battling to be fit after both left the field early against Liverpool.

Nick Woltemade might not be Newcastle's only attacking addition(Image: Getty Images)

Newcastle have also learned their Champions League schedule for the new season after sneaking into the final qualifying spot.

"You get instantly drawn to that with the links with Sir Bobby Robson and the history of the club."

Newcastle and Barcelona have faced off twice in the Champions League group stage before, though not for more than 20 years.

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