Eddie Howe's subtle message to anybody questioning Newcastle ambition amid Isak claims

Eddie Howe believes that everybody has to be reading off the same page when it comes to aiming for the dizzy heights of the Champions League at St James' Park - including individual players.

In a week that has resulted in claims of Alexander Isak's contract talks being paused, with the player's representatives thought to be studying the direction of the club, Howe has suggested that his stars must demonstrate their best A-game before questioning the overall ambition of the club.

When asked what he would say to a player who feels Newcastle can no longer match their own ambition, Howe said: "That would depend on the conversation and the player and where they’re at in their career. I would always give a balanced view. I would always protect the club, but we need to make sure we’re delivering our part as a football club for them.

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"But also the player has to perform to that level. If he’s saying he has huge ambitions, he has to be actually doing the business on the pitch - it’s a two-way thing, the challenge is always thrown back."

Newcastle made a big statement when handing Anthony Gordon a new contract this week with a move that was deemed as showing ambition. The hope for many fans is that it can be followed up by good news on Isak. Howe told reporters at the club's media centre in Benton: "It’s very easy to talk about ambition, but we have to show ambition. We have to give them an environment where they feel like they’re flourishing, because the better they perform, the better we have to build the structures around them.

"I’m very aware of that and I know the club are very aware of that, because what we don’t want to be doing is disbanding our team every year."

Howe said that not everything is in his control but indicated that he can do day to day work that keeps players happy.

Howe added: "It’s a difficult one for me to necessarily do that myself. My part of that is to create an environment where they enjoy to come in every day, where they feel stimulated in their training and feel like they’re growing in their performances and careers. Other stuff around that goes into a different place away from me. One of the challenges we have with all our best players is to continually drive the club forward."