Eddie Howe has more injury concerns to deal with (Picture: Getty)
Eddie Howe revealed that Fabian Schar and Joelinton are unlikely to be available for Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea but a late decision will be made on Alexander Isak.
Newcastle remain embroiled in an injury crisis, with Schar and Joelinton both withdrawn in the first half of Saturday’s game with Fulham.
A superb second-half display saw Howe’s side cruise to a 3-0 home win to end their three-match losing streak but the Magpies face a sharp turnaround as they travel down to play Chelsea on Wednesday.
Speaking on Schar and Joelinton’s injuries, Howe said: ‘Both players will have scans today. They don’t appear to be too bad but I’m reluctant to say that before we have the results back.
‘To miss Fabby would be a big blow. We will try to pick the best team with all the information we have.’
Isak missed the weekend’s home fixture with a groin injury and Howe was uncertain about his availability for Wednesday.
‘It’s the groin. He had a scan and it’s not a big problem. He has a chance for Chelsea but we will see,’ he said.
Fabian Schar and Joelinton were the latest to get injured for Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
One positive from the weekend was the return of Sven Botman, with the centre-back playing his first minutes since picking up an injury in late September.
Schar’s injury may force the Dutch defender into the startling line-up in midweek, but Howe has every confidence in the 23-year-old.
‘Sven has done a lot of work; he’s rehabbed really well so we have to make a decision whether to start him,’ the Newcastle boss revealed.
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‘From a physical perspective, he’s got the load behind him and we’ve been really impressed with how he’s attacked that.
‘I thought he looked really good when he came on so that was a great thing from the weekend.’
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He has more injury concerns to deal with.
