Alexander Isak handed shirt number by Newcastle despite speculation over future

The squad list was announced as the battle over Isak raged on behind the scenes.

Newcastle’s squad list for the new season includes wantaway striker Alexander Isak at number 14 (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been handed a shirt number for the new season despite ongoing uncertainty over his future on Tyneside.

The 25-year-old Sweden international, the subject of a rejected £110million bid from Premier League champions Liverpool, has been left to train alone since withdrawing from the club’s pre-season trip to Singapore and South Korea citing a thigh injury.