Isak, who joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022, was left out of the team's pre-season tour of Asia. He has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Howe explained that the players are too focused on the next game and the level of competition to think about the ongoing rumors. He said, "You don't get a chance when you come on to these tours to think of anything other than training, the next game, the level is so high that even in these games we have to be very well prepared."

Howe acknowledged that the team will miss Isak's quality and that the players will feel his absence. However, he praised the team's professionalism in managing the situation.

Newcastle, who qualified for the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, will face a K-League XI in South Korea on Wednesday.