Eddie Howe faced with new £38m double Newcastle United 'problem' ahead of Wolves clash

With the brick wall that is Dan Burn showing no signs of falling down, there is little chance of Howe partnering Schar and Botman at centre-back for tonight’s Premier League meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park.

Instead, one will have to miss out on a place in the starting XI, something neither player deserves.

“I’ve got a couple of tough decisions to make in the team, and that’s the sign of a good team and a team that is winning games.” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “Players who have put their hand up to start have come and done well and elevated the team’s level.

“Now, of course, with Fabian coming back from suspension that’ll be a decision I have to make.”

Following nine months out with an ACL injury, it was a baptism of fire for Botman last week. With Schar banned for the matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, the Dutchman was thrown into the deep end.

Like London buses, two matches came at once. Well, two in four days. But Botman didn’t sink, and was instead closer to walking on water. Against Bromley on Sunday, the 25-year-old was handed a much-deserved rest.

"Sven's doing well, yeah, I think there was naturally just a build-up of fatigue,” said Howe.” It's a big ask for him to play the two games that he did. With consultation with Sven and the medical team, he felt he was able to go again against Arsenal, a very quick turnaround and two high level games.

"I thought he was absolutely brilliant in both games and when you consider he was feeling a bit fatigued in his groin, I think in the second half, you wouldn't have known in his performance.

"He was determined, physically excellent in near enough every respect and especially when again you consider he's on an unnatural side of the pitch, you wouldn't have known and that gives us real food for thought for the future that he could play that role. So fingers crossed no ill effects.”

In Botman’s place, Schar - back from his ban - featured in the starting line-up against Bromley and largely strolled through the 3-1 win.

When Schar served a three-match ban earlier in the season, Howe didn’t hesitate to recall him in place of Emil Krafth. But this time, the decision is 10 times harder, Botman and Schar are both top class defenders and were imperious during the club’s Champions League qualification season.

Over to you, Eddie...