Newcastle United injury latest as five players ruled out of Everton clash

Eddie Howe has provided an update on Newcastle United’s injury situation ahead of facing Everton on Wednesday.

Fabian Schar, who limped off in the closing stages of the Magpies’ goalless draw against Manchester United at the weekend, is expected to feature.

“Fabian’s fine,” Howe said. “He’s been nursing a foot injury for a while now, this is a long-term thing. He’s managed it very well. I think he’ll be fine.”

However, with United playing their second fixture in three days, several members of Howe’s squad will be closely monitored going into Everton.

“We’re assessing everybody,” Howe added."When you have the three-game weeks which we are in the middle of now, I think everyday you wake up the players will feel better after a night’s sleep. Hopefully, everyone will be OK but we’ll wait and see.”

As revealed on Sunday, Newcastle will be without Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin, who have suffered setbacks in their respective recoveries.

Isak, the club’s record signing from Real Sociedad, is unlikely to return before the World Cup, while Saint-Maximin is a doubt for Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

“Alex, we don’t think we’ll see again before the World Cup. Unfortunately, he has had a setback on his thigh,” Howe said.

"Maxi has had a very minor irritation to his hamstring but it is the third time that has happened so although it is a minor injury, because of the reoccurrence, we have to be careful with his timescale but we hope to see him before the World Cup break.”

Meanwhile, Matt Ritchie (calf), Karl Darlow (knee) and Emil Krafth (knee) remained sidelined.

The Magpies have suffered quite heavily with injuries during the opening few months of the campaign, though sit sixth in the Premier League table with one defeat in 10 matches.

“It’s definitely had an impact but I don’t going to sit here and use those things as excuses - it’s the reality of a Premier League season like no other," Howe said.

“You’ve got condensed games, a lot of international football on players’ minds as well. It’s a totally different season to any other season that I’ve known.

"I think you’ve seen around the Premier League there probably more injuries than ever which is concerning really because we want to protect our players and try and keep them fit and well.

"The Premier League is probably a cause of that, it’s getting quicker and quicker. The intensity is so great that players are breaking around the country. It’s our job to try and keep that to a minimum.”