‘Under the weather’: Eddie Howe says 31-year-old Newcastle player has been ill this week

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Newcastle United are dealing with a number of injury worries.

Eddie Howe rotated heavily for Wednesday’s trip to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and, luckily, its fair to say the supporting cast performed.

Indeed, the likes of Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth stepped up and impressed as Newcastle made it through to the final eight.

Still, and while that was some achievement, the worries remain.

Sven Botman is not expected back any time soon and it seems central defensive partner Fabian Schar is struggling with an issue. The bedrocks upon which Howe built his success last season, the notion of playing big games without them is a major concern.

Newcastle team news: Fabian Schar unwell

The 31-year-old Swiss international did not travel down to Old Trafford as a result of illness, Howe has confirmed.

“Nick [Pope] is fine and Fab was just a little under the weather, hence why he didn’t travel,” he said at Friday’s pre-match press conference (via The Chronicle at 10.02 on 03/11/2023).

Newcastle injuries: Worries remain for Eddie Howe

While illness is not injury of course, the idea of taking on Arsenal without Howe’s first-choice central defensive partnership is a major worry.

Though Krafth, Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles have all impressed this season, it would be a major ask for them to form a duo capable of keeping a team like the Gunners at bay.

With a trip to Borussia Dortmund up next too, things simply do not get any easier.

The supporting cast certainly deserve respect for managing to step up but there’s only so much Howe can ask of his players.

That may sound somewhat negative but its important to be realistic. It is a huge amount of pressure to place on players who hardly feature when everyone is available.

Hopefully, Schar can get back up to full speed. Newcastle need him.