Kieran Trippier believes there is no point in Alexander Isak joining Newcastle United’s pre-season tour of Asia.
The striker did not travel to Singapore for Sunday’s pre-season defeat to Arsenal and is not expected to link up with Newcastle United as they continue on to South Korea.
Isak has asked to leave Newcastle but the official reason he is missing the tour is down to a “minor thigh injury”.
Liverpool are set to bid for Isak, who has made it clear he would like to leave St James’ Park this summer.
The rest of the Newcastle United squad are now in an awkward position. They’re having to answer questions about perhaps their most celebrated teammate and his future, all while Isak sits at home in silence.
One of the leaders in the group is Kieran Trippier and he’s now spoken about the saga.
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
Kieran Trippier expects Alexander Isak to play for Newcastle United again
The defender was asked about the Isak situation while on tour out in the Far East. On Sunday, Eddie Howe had confirmed there was no chance the striker could join for the Korea leg of the tour.
Trippier spoke about Isak’s injury and insisted he was simply working to get over that, while expressing a confidence that he will play alongside the Swedish star again.
“Alex has got a thigh injury – that is the reality,” he told The Chronicle.
“Personally, I think there is no point him coming out here if he can’t play in any games.
“He is doing rehab. But we have to do what we have to do with the players we have got, Sean Neave came on and done very well, young kid who has done well.
“We have tough games coming, but we stick together now as a team, and hopefully Alex will come back when he is fully fit.”
The “realistic” chance that Alexander Isak plays for Newcastle United again
Newcastle do not want to sell Isak and the player still has three years to go on his contract at the club.
As such, they are in a strong position to keep him no matter how much pressure emerges externally.
Isak wants Liverpool. Liverpool want Isak. What Newcastle want, however, is the most important thing.
According to iNews, there is still a “realistic” pathway that would see Isak stay on Tyneside this summer and return to the first-team fold at the start of the upcoming season.
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