Smokescreen - Howe criticised for Isak decision amid Liverpool transfer links

Eddie Howe expressed his strong desire to keep "irreplaceable" Alexander Isak at Newcastle United, despite transfer speculation surrounding the striker. 

Isak was excluded from the squad for the Magpies’ 4-0 pre-season win against Celtic to manage his fitness and to avoid scrutiny. 

Liverpool reportedly showed interest before switching to Hugo Ekitike, but Howe confirmed there has been no formal approach for Isak. He stated that everyone at the club values Isak’s talent and character. 

The Newcastle head coach then revealed why he left the Swedish man outside the squad and not part of the travelling contingent against Celtic.

“No (you shouldn’t read anything into Isak not being here), it’s purely the last thing Alex wants if he is not playing is to be sat in the stand, being under that scrutiny,” Howe said.

“I don’t that’s fair to the player so if he wasn’t going to play today, which we agreed, which we mutually agreed that he needs a little bit more training time, then it’s best he’s not here.

“For any player, that is not an easy thing to deal with.

“It’s not an easy thing to understand when you’re fielding, no doubt from his perspective, phone calls, text messages, players and people asking him… because the media now is so strong and the media message goes far and wide and that scrutiny in part, that’s 10 per cent of the reason why he wasn’t here because I just want him to focus on himself and his training ready for next week.”

Despite Howe’s explanation, former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley branded the Newcastle head coach’s remarks as ridiculous. 

“Ridiculous statement isn’t it? I sent him home because it wasn’t fair to him to sit in the stands,” said the ESPN pundit. 

“What kind of nonsense is that? What’s the problem? It’s just cloak and dagger stuff. He could have played him.” 

The Magpies face Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid in high-profile friendly matches before starting their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on August 16.