On occasions last season it felt like Eddie Howe was searching for 11 fit players, such was the extent of the club's injury crisis. Now it's a very different story, in certain areas at least.

For perhaps the first time since he arrived at the club, Howe has a huge dilemma over who to pick in the centre of his Newcastle United defence for tonight's game against Wolves - and in the remainder of the campaign. The Magpies have Sven Botman fit and available after nine months on the sidelines, with two outstanding performances at Spurs and Arsenal showing he is back and raring to go.

However, Fabian Schar is back from suspension, having hit top form again this season, while Dan Burn has been imperious alongside him in the heart of the United backline. Unless he shocks us all by changing formation, Howe will have to disappoint one of the trio this evening, but it's by no means an easy call. Here's what our NUFC team would do this evening and going forward.

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Lee Ryder

Let's get straight to the point instead of beating around the bush. If teams are picked on merit, then Dan Burn has to partner Fabian Schar in the heart of defence against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Burn has been in the best form of his Newcastle career with last season's spluttering run at left-back now behind him. So Burn naturally should get the nod as left-sided centre-back against Vitor Pereira's troops.

It's Burn's shirt to lose really and bearing in mind you want the balance of a left-footer and right-footer in the heart of defence, the other option has to be Schar. It's great that Botman is back but he has been forced to start games when he's not 100% fit, and from what I've seen it has shown at times.

Nevertheless, his time will come soon enough, and this should set up an intense contest for centre-back slots. The fact that Burn has kept out summer signing Lloyd Kelly all season shows the Blyth warrior is up for the challenge.

Ciaran Kelly

This may well be the first time since Sven Botman joined Newcastle that Eddie Howe has a genuine selection headache in the heart of defence. Howe previously accommodated the trio in the same side by shifting Dan Burn out to left-back, but I can't see that ever happening again. Not just because Lewis Hall has made the left-back position his own but, also, because Burn has, arguably, been Newcastle's player of the season so far in his natural position at centre-back.

There's a nice balance to the side when Burn and Schar are in the same team, but I was impressed with how Botman slotted back into the side after so long out. In my view, this is his shirt to lose again after he impressed during Schar's suspension so the Dutchman gets the nod alongside Burn.

Aaron Stokes

What a dilemma for Eddie Howe to ponder, eh? I suspect my view may echo the general consensus - and that is that Sven Botman should be eased back in after two testing ties against North London opposition. Eddie Howe left the Dutchman out at Bromley and has expressed minor concern that he, Alexander Isak, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy may just be carrying slight ailments after a hectic period.

Get the trusted Fabian Schar back in alongside Dan Burn on Wednesday evening and then worry about how on earth you fit all three in between now and the end of the season. In my view, it is probably the Swiss star who should drop out long-term, for the first time under Howe, given the remarkable form of Burn at the heart of the defence and the sheer quality Botman possesses.

Can you imagine the added headache had someone like Marc Guehi signed in the summer too?...

Ross Gregory

Who partners Dan Burn? That should be the question. The bloke from Blyth is simply undroppable. While Alexander Isak has been grabbing the headlines, you'd be hard pushed to argue against BDB actually being Newcastle's player of the season so far.

In another world, playing all three centre-halves would be a viable option, with Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall bombing on as wing-backs. That's another argument for another day, though. Eddie Howe will stick with the system that has served him and the team so well, and that will mean a back four.

Sven Botman has been superb since he came back and there's a lot to like about the Botman and Ro-Burn partnership (I'll get my coat), but I'd give him another rest, and start Fabian Schar against Wolves. The Dutchman should be handled carefully after his lengthy spell out.

Andrew Musgrove

This a tougher decision that I think any expected it to be when the season started. It was always felt that Dan Burn would fill in, most predicting he'd do a decent a job but there would no question over the return of Botman to the XI.

As it is, Burn is the man who looks a dead cert to keep his spot against Wolves - and it's a flip of a coin between Fabian Schar and Botman for the other spot.

Schar will get the nod, I feel. Firstly, he and Burn have been superb as a partnership and secondly, Toon boss Eddie Howe has made it clear that Botman will not be rushed back - and only featured against Arsenal and Spurs out of necessity.

Going forward, who Howe chooses is anyone's guess but one thing is for certain, Burn has earned his spot and deserves to keep it.

Stuart Jamieson

I'm not sold on the whole right and left-footed centre-back necessity, although it doesn't exactly make the decision any easier. You simply can't drop Dan Burn after what he's done this season back in his natural centre-back position. Yes, he's vulnerable to pace, but with cover from Sandro Tonali and Lewis Hall, that's now less of an issue.

I believe Sven Botman is United's best central defender since Jonathan Woodgate and if he's fit, he has to be first choice. But can you really leave Fabian Schar out of the starting line-up? Surely not. Botman's recent recovery from a lengthy lay-off may mean Howe opts not to risk him against Wolves, but in the longer-term, I would have to go for a Botman-Burn partnership. Sorry Fab.

Pick your NUFC XI

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