Eddie Howe says there are a few knocks amongst the Newcastle United squad with Fabian Schar facing a late fitness test before the Everton game.
The Newcastle manager met the media this morning ahead of the game with Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow night.
Speaking about any fitness concerns, Eddie Howe said: “We’ve got a couple of knocks. Bruno [Guimaraes] we think will be OK but Fabian Schar is one we’ll have to check and make a late call on and it’s a similar situation with a couple of the other lads.”
Bruno Guimaraes is fit but we have to wait to hear on Fabian Schar
It’s great to hear that Bruno is okay after saw him hobbling on Sunday. He has recently admitted to playing through ankle pain so every time he limps it’s a heart-in-mouth moment for Newcastle fans.
Potentially being without Fabian Schar is a big blow, however. The partnership between him and Sven Botman has been crucial to Newcastle’s success this season and Schar has been transformed under Howe.
Fabian Schar has been reborn at Newcastle under Eddie Howe
Schar, under Steve Bruce was done at Newcastle. He found himself below midfielder Isaac Hayden in the pecking order for that central defense role, but since Eddie Howe has come in, Schar has been huge for Newcastle.
Eddie Howe has a lot of faith in Jamaal Lascelles and will feel comfortable calling the club captain up for duty to replace the Swiss international.
Newcastle fans might not share in his confidence. It was reported yesterday that Lascelles could stay at Newcastle next season to help the club with the fixture congestion brought on by playing in Europe with some fans on social media considering it an unambitious move.
I don’t think it will be a disaster if Lascelles has to play tomorrow night, but I would start to get concerned if Schar’s injury keeps him out for several games.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
