Magpies Brush Aside Isak Issue

Newcastle unfazed by striker's absence, hope for big turnout when facing Arsenal

- Sazali Abdul Aziz

Whoops of delight and manic calling of players' names from about 40 supporters greeted the Newcastle United squad when they arrived at their Pan Pacific Singapore base on the morning of July 25.

But all the buzz surrounding the League Cup winners over the previous 24 hours involved a player who did not even board the plane bound for Singapore.

Hours after Newcastle announced that their squad that left England on July 24 was missing star striker Alexander Isak due to a thigh injury, multiple UK media outlets reported that the Swede was considering an exit from the club.

The noise surrounding Isak, heavily linked with a move to English Premier League champions Liverpool, meant Newcastle manager Eddie Howe probably did not have a restful flight here as his team prepare to play Arsenal on July 27 as part of the Singapore Festival of Football.

And while the 47-year-old Englishman did not stop to speak to the media, he flashed a smile of acknowledgement and a thumbs up to the supporters.

Most of the players, too, alighted from the bus and headed straight into the hotel, although some later interacted with fans inside.

Speaking to the media later, club captain Bruno Guimaraes brushed aside the speculation surrounding Isak, whom he called a "top player" and a "good guy".