Magpies chasing the X factor, says Howe

EDDIE Howe has admitted Newcastle are playing catch-up as they adapt to life without Alexander Isak.

- DAMIAN SPELLMAN

The 26-year-old Sweden international's British record £125million departure for Liverpool on deadline day ended a summer-long saga, but left Howe having to plug a huge gap in his front line, which he did with a club record £69m swoop for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa's £55m arrival from Brentford.

However, Woltemade's unfamiliarity with the Premier League and the knee injury that has prevented Wissa from making his debut to date mean the Magpies find themselves desperately trying to make up for lost time and find their cutting edge, starting tonight at home to Bradford City as they begin their defence of the Carabao Cup.