Alexander Isak not part of Newcastle squad for pre-season friendlies in Asia

Club say Sweden striker has a minor thigh injury

Isak had been a transfer target for Liverpool

Alexander Isak has not travelled with his Newcastle teammates for their pre-season friendlies in Asia. The club said the striker, who had been a target for Liverpool, had a minor thigh injury.

Newcastle play Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday before travelling to South Korea to face a K League XI and Tottenham. Isak was the only notable absentee named by Newcastle, who have taken a squad of 30 players.

The Swede missed last Saturday’s friendly at Celtic after a training camp in Austria. Eddie Howe said then of Isak’s absence: “It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. The last thing he wanted is to be sat in the stand watching, that wasn’t fair to him. But I’m confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window.”