NOISE OVER ISAK 'NOT A DISTRACTION'

Howe deftly handles Newcastle man's future; says Arsenal have advantage in July 27 game

- Sazali Abdul Aziz

In his first 24 hours here, Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe learnt just how unpredictable Singapore's weather can get.

The sun was blazing when his team arrived on July 25, but the heavens opened, briefly, just before a press conference at the team's Pan Pacific base on July 26.

By now, though, Howe is adept at taking unexpected twists in his stride, as shown by his deftness at dealing with questions fired at him regarding star striker Alexander Isak.

Isak is not with the Newcastle squad that will take on fellow English Premier League side Arsenal in a pre-season friendly at the National Stadium on July 27.

The Swede, who scored 23 league goals in 34 games last season, stayed behind in England to nurse a thigh injury, his club said. But rumours in the UK media linking him with a big-money move away—more pointedly, to league champions Liverpool—have gathered intensity over the last 48 hours.

More than half the questions in the 15-minute press conference were about Isak.

Howe admitted that "of course, there's things going on behind the scenes", but also said that conversations between the player and the club would remain private.

He added: "We do share a really good relationship with him. He's been magnificent for us for as long as he's joined.