Newcastle United’s squad for their pre-season tour of Asia has been announced, and Alexander Isak is absolutely nowhere to be seen.
After missing the Celtic defeat, many believed that the Swede would be a big part of Newcastle United’s tour of Asia. However, fans were shocked to learn that he has not been named in the squad heading to Singapore for a game against Arsenal on Sunday.
Alexander Isak enjoyed an extended break following his absence from international duty with Sweden. The 25-year-old has been struggling with a groin injury since the 2023/24 campaign, which comes back to haunt him from time to time.
Eddie Howe opted to leave Isak out of the 4-0 loss to Celtic last Saturday due to transfer speculation rather than any injury trouble. Isak’s minutes are being managed during pre-season alongside Joelinton, but the striker was not in the right frame of mind to even sit in the stands at Celtic Park to watch his team suffer a heavy defeat.
While Isak missing out is a big blow for Howe, there is one young star who will be desperate to play and prove he has what it takes to be a part of the Newcastle squad more often next season.
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Sean Neave named in Newcastle United squad for the Asia tour
18-year-old Sean Neave broke into Newcastle’s first-team squad last season after impressing in the Under-18s. The striker skipped the Under-21s to be part of the first team under Howe.
Despite not playing, Neave picked up a Carabao Cup winners medal after being named on the bench for the final against Liverpool. His professional debut is yet to come, but he will take confidence in the fact that Howe gave him a runout in the Celtic defeat.
With Isak not part of the Asia tour, it leaves Neave, who is seen as a ‘prodigy‘ as the likely second-choice striker behind William Osula for the next three games. If things go his way, he could even be in with a chance of starting against Arsenal, a K-League XI or Tottenham Hotspur.
Although unlikely, Neave would benefit if Isak left Newcastle. He would immediately become one of the top options in the position and be in with a shout of more appearances next season.
- READ MORE – As well as Alexander Isak, another Newcastle United player is missing Asia trip after exit rumour
Alexander Isak absence shows why Newcastle United need a new striker
After signing Anthony Elanga, Newcastle are now hoping to sign a striker. Howe wants their new forward to partner Isak next season, but the way things are going at the moment they could be thrown into the starting XI on their own.
Newcastle are linked with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who could cost around £40million this summer. It is a big fee for someone who is 28, but it makes sense after his 19-goal season in the Premier League.
Wissa looks open to joining Newcastle, with the belief that personal terms should not be an issue if the two clubs agree on a fee. The DR Congo international would be a brilliant coup for the Magpies, a striker who has experience of playing in the Premier League and is ready to take the next big step in his career.
Howe should see signing a striker as a matter of urgency. While Neave is a promising young player, he is yet to make a competitive appearance for Newcastle, so he would likely need time to get up to speed with Premier League and Champions League football.
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