Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has disclosed that the Premier League side is open to a resolution with wantaway striker Alexander Isak.
“We would like a resolution. When I say we, I’m talking about myself and I’m sure the ownership, everyone really, the players that we have, because I think we need that clarity this season,” he said in his post-match review.
However, Howe refused to speculate on whether the Magpies would have beaten Villa with Isak in the team, having failed to score when playing against 10 men for over half an hour.
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Aston Villa played the final 24 minutes plus stoppage time with 10 men after Ezri Konsa was dismissed, but with Isak missing – as he tries to force a move to Liverpool – the Magpies were unable to find a winner.
Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon wasted their best chances during a dominant first half.
Debutant Marco Bizot made a fine save to deny new £55m winger Elanga inside three minutes before Gordon planted a free header over.
The Magpies felt the absence of their wantaway striker in their Premier League curtain-raiser at Aston Villa as they were held to a 0-0 draw against 10 men.
Howe reiterated his stance that the door remains open for Isak to be reintegrated into the squad if he wants to be, but knows only the player is in control.
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“Any Premier League season can be hard enough. You don’t need any kind of distraction to swerve your thoughts, to unbalance what we’re doing.
“But I’m certainly not in control of that. And I think there’s only one person really that could control that.
“Nothing’s changed, the door is well and truly open. But he has to decide what he wants to do,” Howe said.
Isak was left out by Howe as the Sweden international tries to force a move away from St James’ Park, with Liverpool seeing a bid rejected earlier in the summer.
