Following Callum Wilson’s exit and the failure to sign Joao Pedro or Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle have been left alarmingly short up top. Remove Isak and they appear toothless, which is unnerving given his durability will be tested across 2025-26 with the additional demands of Champions League football.

Alexander Isak ‘sent home’ by Eddie Howe - but will travel to Asia “Yeah, both players are fit, but we just felt they weren't ready to play,” Howe said. “Everyone throug