Alexander Isak future: Newcastle boss Eddie Howe still unsure on future

Eddie Howe says "everything is in play" with Alexander Isak - but the Newcastle United manager needs players that "really want to play" for the club.

Isak has been training away from his team-mates after Howe said it was "clear at the moment that we can't involve him with the group".

The striker was the subject of a £110m bid from Liverpool last week, which was rejected by Newcastle.

Howe said he was not aware of the club's owners informing Isak he won't be sold after the Sweden international indicated that he wished to explore his options.

But the head coach stressed "there are discussions going on all the time that I'm not party to".

"I think everything is in play," Howe said after Newcastle's 2-0 defeat in a friendly against Atletico Madrid on Saturday. "I've said many times he is contracted to us. He is our player. The club make the decision on his future.

"I don't know what that will be. Of course I have a preferred outcome. I want the best and the strongest squad possible, but I also want players that really want to play for this football club."

Isak missed Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia with a "minor thigh injury", but the 25-year-old went on to train alone at former club Real Sociedad.

Howe previously warned no player could expect to act "poorly and train with the group as normal", but he made it clear that he would like Isak "to be playing today".

Howe was asked what would have to change for that to happen.

"That's not for me to answer," he added. "That's for him to answer."

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