Newcastle United supporters have been rocked by news of star striker Alexander Isak's absence from their pre-season tour squad.
The Swedish international missed Newcastle's 4-0 friendly defeat by Celtic last weekend due to close management of his workload, according to Howe, against the backdrop of looming transfer speculation.
Isak's omission from the travelling squad has set alarm bells ringing for fans of the club given recent links to Premier League champions Liverpool.
Isak misses out with 'thigh injury'
The Reds have confirmed the signing of attacker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt but are expected to part company with Darwin Nuñez and Luis Diaz this summer, which could potentially free up funds for Arne Slot to make an audacious bid for the Newcastle striker.
Isak scored 27 goals across all competitions for the Magpies last season and has been the subject of reported interest from Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, too. Howe has insisted on a number of occasions that Isak remains happy at St. James' Park, however, fresh doubt has now been cast on the 25-year-old's future.
Newcastle have endured a difficult start to the summer transfer window, despite securing top target Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.
The Tyneside club were reportedly interested in Ekitike who has joined Liverpool, as well as Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, for whom progress on a move appears to have stalled.
It has been suggested the reason for Isak's absence on tour is a minor thigh injury.
Newcastle's full squad heading for the Far East is as follows: Odysseas Vlachodimos, Nick Pope, John Ruddy, Max Thompson, Mark Gillespie; Emil Krafth, Harrison Ashby, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn, Alex Murphy; Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, Lewis Miley, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy; William Osula, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon, Sean Neave, Alfie Harrison, Anthony Munda, Travis Hernes.
