Newcastle United hand Leo Shahar training call ahead of Man City as key duo missing

Sven Botman and Dan Burn are doubts for Newcastle United’s trip to Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Botman withdrew with a knee issue during the 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg win over Arsenal last Wednesday, which forced him to miss the FA Cup fourth round victory at Birmingham City three days later.

As the only fit left-footed centre-back, Burn started at St Andrew’s but was brought off in the 55th minute following a groin complaint.

Speaking after the game, Howe said: “We don't know how serious Dan's injury is at the moment. I was a reluctant starter of Dan tonight.

“I didn't want to take that risk with any of our players but we played against Wednesday because we knew the physical cost of that game, but numbers dictated we had to.”

Will Sven Botman and Dan Burn return from injury against Man City?

In training pictures released by Newcastle’s media team on Wednesday, neither Botman or Burn were spotted training.

That followed on from Mail Sport’s story earlier in the day that Botman and Burn have avoided serious injuries but remain a doubt for the visit to the Etihad Stadium.

Botman last month returned from an ACL injury while Burn has been available for all but one of Newcastle’s 31 games in all competitions this campaign, and he only missed that because of a one-match suspension.

As it stands, Emil Krafth is likely to partner Fabian Schar at the heart of the defence.

Leo Shahar called up to first-team training

With Newcastle currently low on defensive numbers, teenage defender Leo Shahar is among the under-21s players to be called up to first-team training this week.

Since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers 18 months ago, the 17-year-old has established himself as a regular in the under-21s side, even captaining the team earlier in the season.

Shahar has also represented England at under-17s and under-18s since moving to Tyneside.

“Signing my first professional contract is everything I have dreamt of since I was a kid,” Shahar said last May. “To get that opportunity at such a big club like Newcastle United is outstanding and I’m hoping to keep pushing on.

“I’ve been getting great opportunities with the under-21s this season as well as playing in the UEFA Youth League and representing England (at under-17 level) so I thought that was such a big reason in wanting to commit my future here.

“Seeing the likes of [Kieran] Trippier and [Tino] Livramento playing well for the first-team makes me want to thrive and try to get into a similar position that they are in. The fans love those two and I want to push on to try and get into that spot. I’m going to work as hard as I can everyday on the training pitch to get to that spot.”

In other news, Newcastle United have been handed a major injury boost as £45million star spotted in training ahead of Man City clash.