Eddie Howe has issued a stern warning to Alexander Isak, stating that he won't let him "derail" his ambitious Newcastle United project. The head coach is reportedly livid with Isak's conduct this summer and it's believed that he hasn't spoken to the disgruntled Swede for two weeks, leading many at the club to believe that the striker's days on Tyneside are numbered.

Isak, who is currently training alone, appears more likely to be on his way out of St James' Park after the club agreed a record-breaking fee for German sensation Nick Woltemade. The £69million deal may pave the way for the Swedish international's departure, with more signings potentially arriving before the transfer deadline.

Howe revealed that he has now handed over the Isak issue to the club's Saudi-backed owners PIF, choosing to focus on players who are committed to staying in Tyneside.

When questioned about whether the Isak situation was beyond his control, Howe told Chronicle Live: "That is where I have been for a long time with the Alex situation because it will be detrimental for me to invest any more time with that situation when I have 25/30 players needing every ounce of energy and time.

"And the team needs me to focus on trying to get results, that is what I have tried to do. Other people are dealing with that situation for me, it has been: 'Let me focus on the players are playing and can influence other results'."

Howe then revealed that Isak's reluctance to feature and his push for a switch to Liverpool would not undermine his ambitious Newcastle vision, with Woltemade poised to be joined by a second forward as discussions persist with Wolves regarding Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Howe insisted he is prepared to move forward from a turbulent summer and declared: "For me as soon as the season starts and the action begins you are into a totally different place.

"You have to get results and look after performances, and there is such an exciting season ahead, you don't want anything to derail from the positivity that should be directed towards the team and getting results.

"It is hard enough to do it against all the other distractions we have faced this summer, but I think the players have faced that really well.

"But we are going to have to continue to do that because the challenge only gets bigger.

"The other side of this international break, the games will explode upon us, and we need to be ready for that challenge ahead."