Eddie Howe says he is “confident” that Alexander Isak will remain a Newcastle United player at the end of the transfer window amid interest from Liverpool. The Merseyside outfit approached the

Isak was left out of Newcastle's squad for their pre-season friendly defeat at Celtic on Saturday, despite being fit.

NEWCASTLE MANAGER EDDIE Howe excused Alexander Isak from travelling to their friendly with Celtic to shield him from transfer speculation but is confident the striker will remain at St James’ Park. Isak went home as the rest of the squad returned from an Austrian training camp on Friday but he was never earmarked to play in Glasgow.