But Howe admits there are no signs as things stand of the current situation being resolved, saying the matter “has been unchanged for a while and that will continue to be the case.
Isak continues to train alone at Benton having expressed his desire to leave the club this summer amid transfer interest from Liverpool. He won’t be involved at Aston Villa tomorrow.
Howe says “all options and potential scenarios are open and available to Alex”, but once again stressed his desire to have the striker back involved with his squad.
“I’ve said many times I want him to train and play and I’ve had those conversations with him but the details of these conversations need to remain private,” said Howe.
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Will it be possible to reintegrate Isak before in the next fortnight?
“I don’t know,” said Howe.
“As I sit here now I don’t know that. Alex will control that.”
Despite Isak’s current position, Howe says, as things stand, he still expects the striker to be a Newcastle player after the window.
“At the moment I would, but I’ve got no change of feeling throughout the summer,” he said.
“It’s not in my hands, but he’s contracted to us, so that’s why I say that.”
He added: “I don’t think any door is closed.
“Ultimately it will depend on him and what happens in this situation he will dictate that to a degree. We will facilitate it and obviously try and get the best result for us.
Howe still believes there’s a way back for Isak at Newcastle, despite the manner in which the situation has played out this summer and the Sweden international’s current stance.
“Yes, I believe there is but talks and discussions need to take place in order for that to happen,” he said.
“But that’s for another day – today is Aston Villa and making sure we prepare as best we can.”
Howe admits having a star player train alone for a prolonged period of time is a “worry”.
“It’s not anything you ever want to see,” he said.
“You want to see him with the squad, you want to see him happy and enjoying his football.
“He is contracted to us. He is here, so for me that (him training alone) is an unfortunate situation.”
Asked whether there’s disappointment at how the situation has played out, Howe said: “I don’t think I should go there today.”
Howe admits Newcastle now need to try and put the Isak situation to one side as they focus on getting their Premier League campaign off to a successful start at Villa on Saturday.
The head coach said: “He’s not here with us, so we have to focus on who is here and get the best out of every single player in the squad that’s fit and available, and that’s always been the way.
“I think the players will be aware that he’s not here, but I don’t think the focus will be on that. The focus will be on making sure that they play to the best of their ability, each and every player. That’s all we can do.”
