Just 10 days ago, Howe declared that Fabian Schar's season looked set to be over following a hamstring injury. Today, he's hinted that the Swiss centre-back might just be fit for our crucial clash with Man Utd.

Speaking to the media this morning, Howe revealed that he's "making really good progress" and has been doing a mixture of training and work with the medical staff, suggesting he has a real chance of returning ahead of schedule.

"He's working his way back." Howe said. "A mix of training and being with medical staff, making really good progress from a hamstring problem, we'll wait and see if he's available for tomorrow's game."

Elsewhere, Howe was also asked if the likes of Joelinton, Nick Pope, Miguel Almiron and Kieran Trippier are ready to start after returning to the squad over the last two games.

"It's nice to have those options. I need to look at them individually, I can't lump them together. Joey's (Joelinton) was a serious injury and required an op. I need to make sure he's the Joe we know. Not someone who is trying to find his rhythm. It's the same with Miggy (Almiron) and Nick (Pope). They're vital. Their presence is vital.

"Nick has come back from a serious injury, a big problem to a big area of the body for a goalkeeper. He has still been getting his rhythm back from the training work he has been doing. I am really pleased with how he's looked. He has continued to improve through training, every game I have a decision to make and that will be another one."

Trippier declared himself "100% fit" to play when speaking after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brighton, while Howe's comments on Joelinton and Pope give little away.

It seems clear that he's reluctant to risk either of them from the start if he doesn't deem them fully ready to return after "serious" injuries, but their presence on the pitch could be huge in such a big game in the context of our season.

Personally, I think we'll see Schar, Joelinton and Trippier back in the starting XI, but it feels slightly more 50/50 on Pope given the nature of his injury and his time on the sidelines.