WARREN BARTON EXCLUSIVE

NEWCASTLE UNITED fans will forgive Alexander Isak 'going on strike' - but not forget it.

- BY RICHARD EDWARDS

The Swedish hitman has downed tools in protest at the collapse of his proposed move to Liverpool, Newcastle's opponents at St James' Park in the league tomorrow.

Toon legend Warren Barton is sure that manager Eddie Howe needs to stand firm - and either keep Isak at St James' or sell him for top dollar.

Barton (top) knows all about big-money transfers himself.

The 56-year-old made 219 appearances for Newcastle all told in seven years at the club.

And when he joined the North-East giants for £4million in 1995, he was the most expensive defender in British history to that point.

Barton said: "I just hope for the sake of football that the club make Isak stay or get £150m for him.

"Unless they are offered that type of money, just don't let him go. Someone has to make a stand on this. A player can't just down tools and think that's going to be enough to get away. Life shouldn't work like that.