Newcastle United sweating on fitness of two key players for Manchester United clash

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson is touch and go for the Magpies' important encounter at Old Trafford.

The striker was not deemed 100% fit for the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion and sat out of the St James' Park stalemate in the Premier League. Howe will also run late checks on Alexander Isak who came off early against the Seagulls after suffering with an illness.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: "We'll see, we have not seen him today. If not we will see him for Brentford.

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"Whenever either one of our two strikers has been missing it has impacted us. For Alex, it was an illness, it's not serious. He did not train yesterday hopefully we will see him today. We knew on Friday he was slightly under the weather."

With Toon and England star Kieran Trippier edging back to full fitness, and declaring himself ready for the Man United game, Howe must pick his side carefully. Nick Pope is also pushing Martin Dubravka for a start between the posts.

Howe said: "I've got decisions to make, I will try to make the right decisions."

One decision that may be out of his hands is Fabian Schar's gradual return from a hamstring injury, giving an update on Schar, Howe said: "He is working his way back, in a mix between training and being with the medical staff. He is making good progress with his hamstring so we will see."

Newcastle know that they could still, on paper, slip up in their last two games and still qualify for Europe, if Chelsea and Man United implode in either of their games. When asked if he was looking at other results in the run-in, Howe said: "Maybe in my early days I might have been more aware. As you get older you know it's all nonsense.

"You have to control your side of the deal. We need to make sure our players go to Manchester in good spirits. It is a mixture of emotions when you lead the team. It is not dependent on games, you have to deliver for the players and everybody. A few nerves aren't a bad thing. But then it's business time and you hope things come good."