New Newcastle United injury blow revealed by Eddie Howe

Howe’s side take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park on Sunday on the back of three successive 2-0 defeats.

United’s head coach will be without the suspended Joelinton following last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, but Fabian Schar, sidelined last weekend following a concussion, has returned to training this week.

Asked if the defender would be in his squad, Howe said: “He’s trained well this week, so we’re pleased to see him back.”

Howe was also asked if there were any fresh injury concerns ahead of the Premier League fixture. He said: “We’ve got a couple of knocks from the City game. We hope nothing too serious.”

Bruno Guimaraes hurt his ankle in the Carabao Cup final last month, but was able to play at the Etihad Stadium, and Howe revealed that the midfielder, named the North East Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year on Sunday, came has been able to train every day this week.

"I think he’s fine,” said Howe. “I don’t think he’s missed any training from that ankle. He was sore initially against Manchester United, but he was back training, no problem. I think the initial one (ankle injury), can’t remember who it was against, kept him out of some training. Touch wood, I don’t see a problem.”

Small problem

However, Howe did confirm that one player would miss the Wolves game through injury.

Harrison Ashby, signed from West Ham United in January, has a hamstring problem. The 21-year-old is yet to make his debut for the club, and Howe said: "Harrison's picked up very small hamstring problem. So he hasn't trained with the group for a few weeks."

Meanwhile, Howe is happy with what he’s seen on the training ground from his squad this week.

“It’s been a good week in terms of delivery and intensity,” said Howe.

"We’ve been unlucky. I don’t believe in luck, because you create it yourself, but we’ve had an unlucky period when things have gone against us.

"Lots of things are tested behind the scenes on these runs. What is the culture of your group like? What is the culture around the training ground like? It’s a good test of that. So far, the players have come up with the right answers.”