Alexander Isak: Newcastle striker named in Sweden squad for World Cup qualifiers

Alexander Isak has been named in the Sweden squad despite not playing any football this season as he pushes to leave Newcastle.

Isak is among the 24 players named by Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson for World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo next month.

The 25-year-old is training away from his Newcastle team-mates after making clear he wants to join Liverpool despite having three years left on his contract.

Fellow striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored his first two goals for Arsenal at the weekend, is also included in Tomasson’s squad.

The Sweden coach said: “I am very happy that Alexander Isak wants to be in the squad, he is a huge player.

“The situation he is in is not perfect and he has not trained with the team. But he is a player who can decide matches and he wants to be part of our squad. The World Cup is important for Alexander Isak.”

Liverpool have yet to make a fresh bid for Isak since an offer of £110m was rejected at the start of this month.

Isak has since released a statement on social media accusing Newcastle of breaking a promise to allow him to leave this summer.

The Magpies have denied making such a commitment and continue to insist Isak is not for sale.