Eddie Howe has revealed that Fabian Schar is a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Man City, but there’s better news on Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier.
The Swiss centre-back hasn’t trained all week after picking up a knock on the “top of his foot” in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Howe insists there’s no fracture and hasn’t ruled him out of the game just yet, but it looks likely – at this stage – that Jamaal Lascelles starts instead at the Etihad.
Elsewhere, it looks like Callum Wilson will be back in the squad on Sunday after he trained “all week” and came through sessions with flying colours.
The NUFC boss reckons there’s a “good chance” he’ll be involved this weekend, however it seems a late call will be made on Kieran Trippier. He also returned to training this week but didn’t take part in every session, leaving him “slightly behind Wilson.”
Here’s what Howe had to say on all of the above in this morning’s press conference:
Howe on Fabian Schar:
“We haven’t seen him this week.
“We hope he’ll be back to be available but he’s not trained yet.
“He got a knock on the top of his foot so he went for a scan after the Liverpool game because it was swollen up but fortunately there’s no fracture.”
Howe on Callum Wilson:
“He’s trained all week. He’s trained very well, he had two really tough days and he’s come through them well.
“Physically, he looks very good, and he’s put a lot of work in to get to this point.
“Very pleased with the attitude, as always.
“He looks in a good place.
“I think there’s a good chance he’ll be involved.”
Howe on Kieran Trippier:
“Kieran is slightly behind Callum Wilson in the sense that he hasn’t trained every day.
“But, when he has trained, he has trained very well.
“We’ll make a late decision on him.”
Howe on having both Wilson and Trippier back:
“They’re both competitors. They’re both winners…they’re ready now.
“They’ve trained very well.
“It does give everyone a lift.
“When you see good players on the training pitch as part of your team, it can’t fail to inspire you.”
