Debutant Ramsdale is penalty hero but Magpies denied first win of the campaign

ALEXANDER Isak’s absence could not be covered up by Newcastle United’s penultimate friendly clash against Espanyol - in fact any concerns about the striker departing will be merely amplified by this performance.

- By LEE RYDER

True, Newcastle scored twice, but if Matt Targett is the answer to United’s goal scoring issues, then I'm not sure what the question is! Jacob Murphy's second goal of preseason looked like it had secured Newcastle’s first preseason victory before a late nod-off handed the Spaniards a deserved draw.

Isak was not even in the stands, and while William Osula and Sean Neave were handed further chances up front, they could do nothing to change the narrative for Howe this summer.

Two inexperienced youngsters are not going to fill the void left by Isak, who continues to wait in the background for a move to Liverpool.

It made for a subdued atmosphere at St James’ Park with 20,000 empty seats telling their own story. This game never captured the imagination given the standard of the opposition but those who stayed away missed very little.

Newcastle are heading into dangerous territory if they don’t manage to lure a proven goalscorer to their ranks in the next week or so.