Eddie Howe gives Alexander Isak latest as Newcastle issued with double transfer demand

Eddie Howe remained tight-lipped on the future of Alexander Isak after being quizzed before Newcastle's match against Liverpool on Monday night.

Newcastle host Liverpool at St James' Park at an awkward time, with Isak refusing to play for his club in a bid to force through a transfer to their opponents. The Swedish striker has accused his employers of breaking promises and is not a part of Howe's squad.

Liverpool had a £110million bid rejected at the start of August and are yet to return with another offer. Meanwhile, Newcastle are desperately searching for strikers to sign, with Isak on strike and Callum Wilson having left on a free transfer to West Ham.

The Magpies saw a £50m bid rejected by Wolves for Jorgen Strand Larsen on Monday and have also seen two offers rebuffed by Brentford for Yoane Wissa. Howe was asked about the transfer situation before kick-off, but gave little away.

READ MORE: Inside Alexander Isak's feud with Newcastle as striker misses out on Liverpool audition

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"No, absolutely nothing to update you with unfortunately," he told Sky Sports. "We were training this morning and I was preparing for the game and I've had no updates on anything. The focus purely for me is on this game as I think you'll understand.

"It's not where we want to be at this moment of time, entering the new season without a recognised centre forward in that position. What I will say is Anthony Gordon has played the position really well for us historically. I thought he played really well last week, albeit didn't score but I think he led the line really well and I expect him to do it again today."

Isak has been training by himself and is hoping Liverpool return with a second bid that Newcastle can't refuse before the window closes on September 1. Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes Newcastle should accept a bid, should one arrive in the coming days.

"You cannot put yourself in this situation when you don't come to train," Henry said. "In an ideal world, the best thing for everybody is if he can leave.

"But I also believe that if someone makes a mistake, he can apologise. We can move on and he can score goals, can play the same way he did last year and the Newcastle fans will be OK about it. But the best for Liverpool and for Newcastle is if he goes."

Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher made a similar point. "This is not because I want Isak at Liverpool, [but] I think Newcastle should sell Isak," he said.

"The reason I say that is because there will be so many people outside of Newcastle telling the club and Eddie Howe what they have to do - you've got to be strong, show that Liverpool or any other club that players can't just demand to go.

"But they don't have the problem of Isak every day, the problem Eddie Howe has in every press conference, being asked questions about him. It's a cloud over the club constantly."

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