EDDIE HOWE has admitted Newcastle are playing catch-up as they adapt to life without Alexander Isak.

The 26-year-old Sweden international’s British record £125 million departure for Liverpool on deadline day ended a summer-long saga, but left Howe having to plug a huge gap in his front line, which he did with a club record £69m swoop for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa’s £55m arrival from Brentford.

However, Woltemade’s unfamiliarity with the Premier League and the knee injury which has prevented Wissa from making his debut to date mean the Magpies find themselves desperately trying to make up for lost time and rediscover their cutting edge.

Howe said: “In an ideal world you have a full pre-season to iron out any issues you have. You’re forming your partnerships and team relationships so they’re formed for the start of the season.

“We’re in the position where we’re going to have to do it as we play. I have no issue with doing that, I’ve done it before.”

Newcastle have won only one of their six games in all competitions to date this season and while four clean sheets in five league outings is testament to their defensive resilience, a return of just four goals highlights the issues they are currently facing.

Former Stuttgart frontman Woltemade scored on his debut in a 1-0 victory over Wolves on September 13, but drew a blank in Sunday’s tepid 0-0 draw at Bournemouth, when genuine chances were at a premium.

Howe said: “I don’t think any comparison to Alex is favourable to any player. I wouldn’t do that in other positions. Every player is unique and Nick is certainly that.

“The biggest thing is the foundation is solid. The team is playing with strength, it’s just missing that X factor that I think will come.”

Howe, who made seven changes to the side which lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League last Thursday at the Vitality Stadium, is likely to shuffle his pack once again for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round clash with League One Bradford as the holders launch their defence.

He will find himself up against Bantams boss Graham Alexander, who has admitted he did not like the Magpies boss during their time together at Burnley, when the then 39-year-old defender was eased out of the team, but has since come to understand why he did what he did.

Asked about Alexander’s comments, Howe said with a smile: “I really like Graham, so that’s news to me.”

He added: “I always learn from the experienced players, especially when I was a younger coach because they were older than me, so I had no issues with him, a top professional and top player.

“It’s no surprise to me that he’s gone into management because he had those qualities even then. He was a big leader within the group, set the standards, and it’s great to see him doing so well. I’m really pleased for him.”