What now as unhappy Isak edges towards the exit door?

NEWCASTLE United still hold all the cards when it comes to Alexander Isak's future - despite the disappointment of his absence from the club's Far East tour.

- By LEE RYDER

Teammates were not thought to be shocked by his absence going into the flight to Asia with some half-expecting him to stay at home after missing Celtic and training alone this week.

Martin Dubravka is another player left behind with the goalkeeper linked with an exit in recent weeks.

But Isak’s omission from the Toon squad that jetted out of Samson Executive airfield yesterday morning left a dent in Newcastle's preseason plans on the pitch.

Off it, commercially arriving in Singapore without their star player is a major blow for St James’ Park chiefs, albeit not a complete disaster given the love and loyalty of the expats waiting to greet them at the end of a long flight.

Isak’s absence just leaves a bit of a void in the picture with many supporters looking forward to seeing last season's top marksman in front of their very eyes, rather than on a TV screen.