Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has insisted that Alexander Isak will quickly return to action for Newcastle if the Magpies refuse to sanction his departure. Isak has been absent for the majority of pre-season after failing to join his teammates on their Asian tour.

He was omitted from the opening fixture of the new campaign against Aston Villa, where Newcastle supporters voiced their displeasure, and will also be unavailable for Monday's encounter with Liverpool. "Even if Liverpool go up a bit [with their bid], I don't see how Newcastle can let him go when they've got nobody to play centre-forward," Murphy said on talkSPORT.

"It's just simple. What's he going to do? He's got his World Cup year. He's got to keep playing to keep the interest in him if he goes next summer. What choice have you got?"

"You've got to play football. Even if you have to apologise, you have to hold your hands up... whatever it is, he's got to play football."

Earlier this week, Isak claimed Newcastle had reneged on assurances given to him ahead of the summer.

That appeared to be a last-ditch attempt to engineer a move with fewer than two weeks remaining in the summer transfer window.

"They've got a £60million asset, they've got a three-year contract left, and we're having this discussion about a gentleman's agreement," Simon Jordan added.

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"People are actually believing it. People listen to 'broken promises' and then you get idiots like Jamie O'Hara on Sky saying broken promises are being made. Nonsense!

"Everybody in the real world knows that if an undertaking were given to a football player that they were prepared to engage in a discussion allowing him to be sold, then it would be documented properly, in the same way his contract was documented."

On Friday, Eddie Howe addressed questions about Isak during his press conference ahead of Monday's match against Liverpool. Although he confirmed that the Swedish player won't be participating in the upcoming game, he expressed his intention to bring him back into the fold when he's ready.

"The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United," stated Howe. "It will do that in every situation.

"[Isak's social media statement] was a sad moment. My preference is that these things do not happen publicly. They are better dealt with behind closed doors.

"But needs must (re Newcastle's statement in response). The club has spoken, and justifiably so in that moment. He's contracted to us. He's our player.

"My wish is that he would be playing on Monday night with us. He won't be, and that's regrettable at this moment. But 100 per cent, I want him back in a Newcastle shirt.

"It is disappointing I am having to mention this at length and taking us away from the football. The players have done well to blank it all out. But it is there in the background, and it is regrettable that we are in this situation."