Eddie Howe fielded eight questions on the striker during Saturday's 15-minute press conference. The situation is beyond a distraction now

Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle have a decision to make on Alexander Isak's future but reiterated his hope that the striker will stay at the club this season.

A few weeks can make a huge difference in evaluating a club's season outlook, and the flurry of reports regarding star striker Alexander Isak have put a worrying cap on a troubling fortnight at Newcastle United.