The 25-year-old was absent throughout Newcastle 's entire pre-season programme initially due to a thigh problem, though latterly it became entirely transfer-related. In his bid to engineer a switch to Liverpool, the striker has been instructed to train in isolation whilst reportedly declaring he will never play for Eddie Howe's team again.

Liverpool are eyeing Newcastle’s Alexander Isak as the transfer window nears its September 1 close, even though they had a £110m bid for the striker rejected.