Newcastle United handed big injury boost ahead of Everton as key man declares himself fit

Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar has declared himself fit to face Everton on Wednesday night.

The Switzerland international limped off in the closing stage of the Magpies’ 0-0 draw against Manchester United yesterday.

Schar was in the wars at Old Trafford but battled on to keep a clean sheet and extend Newcastle’s unbeaten run to five matches.

And the 30-year-old is in line to keep his place for the visit of Everton in two days’ time after insisting he’ll be available.

Fabian Schar declares himself fit for Everton

“It’s going to be fine, don’t worry,” Schar told NUFCTV. “I didn’t want to come off but I was at the point where I couldn’t really walk anymore.

“It was better someone else who was 100 per-cent came in. It’s going to be fine.”

The goalless draw was Newcastle’s fourth clean sheet of the campaign. Howe’s side boast the best defensive record in the Premier League.

Schar has been key to that, having played the most minutes of any defender since Howe was appointed head coach in November last year.

“First you have to look at the players, then the individuals within the structure of the team,” Howe said on the defensive improvements. “Touch wood, we have recruited well - and those players have made a difference to our output.

“I do think the team work together for each other collectively. We do not carry anybody.

“You look today, there was effort from strikers to wingers to midfielders. All when you don’t have the ball with the idea of protecting the goal and making sure we are hard to play through.

“The understanding of what is expected from them is there for the players. I think that is key.”