"We love Alex, but..." - Howe speaks out on Isak, sad statement and Newcastle future

Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning from the club's training base.

We face Liverpool on Monday in our first home game of the new season, but so many of the questions centred around one man; Alexander Isak.

Howe was quizzed on his Tuesday night statement - which he admitted was a "sad moment" - asked if he could feature anytime soon, whether he'd spoken to the player and for his thoughts on how we move forward in the midst of a very difficult situation.

Howe said: "No, there’s been no change. He won’t be part of the squad."

"The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United. It will do that in every situation. We love Alex, but this has been an unfortunate few months.

"If Alex is to play for Newcastle again, he has to be totally committed. It can't work any other way. Any player steps out on the pitch, has to give their all for Newcastle United."

The boss then confirmed he hadn't seen Isak this week - he is training away from the group once many senior staff leave - and reflected on Tuesday's statement and Newcastle's need to respond:

"I haven’t seen him this week. When I see him we speak as normal," Howe said.

"It (Isak's statement) was a sad moment. My preference is these things do not happen publicly. They are better dealt with behind closed doors.

"But needs must (regarding club statement). The club has spoken, and justifiably so in that moment. He’s contracted to us.

"He’s our player. My wish is that he would be playing on Monday. He won’t be, and that’s regrettable. But 100 per cent I want him back in a Newcastle shirt. We are trying to find a positive solution all the time."

Howe then admitted, once again, that he's frustrated that such a public saga is "taking us away" from football, but reveals that the players are doing well to blank it out:

"I don't think it had to be this way."

"It is disappointing I am having to mention this at length and taking us away from the football. We've got Liverpool coming up and that's a tough game as it is, without having any distraction around us.

"The players have done well to blank it all out. It is there in the background and it's working against us, it is regrettable that we are in this situation."

Another perfect press conference from Eddie Howe this morning

The way he has handled the situations this summer confirm he is an elite manager #NUFC pic.twitter.com/HMBgWDkbuE

— Newcastle United Supporters’ Club (@Nusc2023) August 22, 2025