Eddie Howe says Alexander Isak will control whether he plays for Newcastle before the transfer deadline, confirming the striker’s self-imposed exile.
Daily Mail Sport revealed on Friday that the Swede was on strike and refusing to train with the squad as he attempts to force a move to Liverpool.
Isak will miss Saturday’s Premier League opener at Aston Villa - his absence will incur a club fine - and there appears to be no chance of him featuring against Liverpool or Leeds before the month is out, even though Howe wants him to play.