Eddie Howe makes centre-half decision as Fabian Schar is passed fit for Bournemouth
FABIAN SCHAR has been passed fit to Newcastle United's home game with Bournemouth - but the Swiss centre-half is only on the bench after suffering from an illness issue this week.
Schar has been struggling with an illness problem and was forced to sit out Newcastle's midweek win over Wolves.
Eddie Howe admitted Schar was "not 100 per cent" when he returned to training on Thursday, and the defender is only on the bench for today's lunchtime kick-off at St James' Park.
Howe has named an unchanged side with Sven Botman once again partnering Dan Burn at centre-half.
Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton continue as the midfield three, with Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy in the wide positions.
Alexander Isak will lead the line in attack as he looks to score for the ninth Premier League game in succession.
Schar's presence on the bench means his fellow defender, Emil Krafth, drops out of the squad that faced Wolves.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has made two changes to the side that started the Cherries' midweek draw at Chelsea, with Kepa Arrizabalaga returning in goal to replace Mark Travers and Justin Kluivert also getting the nod to start.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Subs: Vlachodimos, Trippier, Schar, Osula, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.
BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Kepa, Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.
Subs: Travers, McKenna, Jebbison, Silcott-Duberry, Adu-Adjei, Akinmboni, Winterburn, Kinsey, Rees-Dottin.
