Newcastle United will begin their Premier League campaign away at Aston Villa without star striker Alexander Isak.
Isak is set to miss Aston Villa vs Newcastle United as he continues to try and move away from the club this summer.
The Sweden striker has recovered from the “minor thigh injury” that ruled him out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia but is still considered unavailable.
Isak wants to leave Newcastle and, at this stage, it seems unlikely he will feature before the transfer window shuts even if he does end up staying at the club this summer.
Speaking ahead of the Villa game, Eddie Howe confirmed the latest.
Eddie Howe confirms Alexander Isak absence vs Aston Villa
The Newcastle United manager has revealed that there has been “no change” on the Isak situation.
He wants to join Liverpool, but the Premier League champions have not returned with a new offer since seeing their opening bid rejected earlier this summer.
“There has been no change,” he said.
“All my focus is on Aston Villa tomorrow. Isak’s situation has been clear for a while and that will continue to be the case.”
Newcastle fans are angry with Isak, feeling as if he’s let the club down.
Who will replace Alexander Isak for Newcastle United vs Aston Villa?
Callum Wilson left the club earlier this summer, leaving only William Osula and Sean Neave as the recognised strikers in the Newcastle United squad.
Osula did not particularly convince during pre-season, while Neave is at an even earlier stage of his development.
With that in mind, Anthony Gordon looks set to start for Newcastle up front at Villa Park.
Earlier this month, Howe said of the England international: “He has played there before for us and played it well.
“He will play in his way, he is not Alex or Callum Wilson, he is slightly looser than both.
“He does not want to be a focal point back to goal player, he is not at his best doing that.
“We gave him a bit of freedom and he did really well in that floating role, he could have had a couple of goals and we are really pleased with him.”
That could change as the season progresses, with Isak staying at the club still a possibility and Yoane Wissa potentially arriving to replace Wilson.
Either way, it’s desperately disappointing to see a Newcastle side with grand ambitions start the season without their star striker even despite the fact he’s fit.
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