ASTON VILLA v NEWCASTLE STRIKER ISAK STILL CALLING THE TOON

Swedish star refuses to play in opener

- BY IAN MURTAGH

WANTAWAY striker Alexander Isak has refused to end his Toon standoff and play for Newcastle at Aston Villa.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has tried to keep an open dialogue with the unsettled Swede. And he revealed that he had asked Isak to make himself available for the opening game of the season.

“Of course,” he said “I've said many times I want him to train and play and I've had those conversations with him but the details need to remain private.”

What has become clear over the past week is that Isak has effectively gone on strike to force a move to Liverpool.

Last week, Howe was ambiguous answering questions on who had decided the 25-year-old would train alone and away from his teammates, saying: “I want players who really want to play for this club.”