Newcastle United issue injury and illness update on Fabian Schar, Martin Dubravka and Jonjo Shelvey amid Covid-19 cases

The defender returned to Tyneside with an abductor problem, while goalkeeper Martin Dubravka withdrew from Slovakia’s squad due to illness.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, head coach Eddie Howe said: “Fabian came back having not played or training, but we’ve had a couple of sessions with him, so we think he’ll be fit. Martin trained with us for the first time yesterday, so we hope he’ll be fine.”

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey – who missed the club’s last two games through illness – is back in training and available, according to Howe.

"Jonjo’s trained,” said Howe. “He hasn’t trained every session that we’ve done. I think he had a bad bout of illness. Yes, we hope he’ll be OK.”

Newcastle had a number of Covid-19 cases during the international break.

Howe said: "We’ve got a little bit of illness in the camp, probably like most teams have around the country, but we’ve still got a couple of days before the game, we hope everyone will be OK.”

On Covid-19, Howe added: “We had a little bit of Covid during the break, I think, like most teams. It’s under control. With any illness, not only does it weaken you physically, but also mentally, so it’s about building those back up to make sure they’re 100% when the game comes around.”

United are 14th in the Premier League, and nine points above the relegation zone, ahead of the Tottenham game.

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