Waugh: Howe was afforded an extension under Dan Ashworth during the summer of 2022 and, in secret, he was given another deal the following off-season. That was only revealed in July last year by Eales when he was asked directly by The Athletic during a video call with reporters.

Isak was the subject of a bid from Liverpool during the offseason and has been training away from the Newcastle squad, having indicated he wanted to explore his options. “Alex’s situation has been unchanged for a while,