Eddie Howe explains squad decision over Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark

Fernandez has not started a game since the start of October, with a thigh problem having ruled him out of Newcastle’s festive programme and the whole of January.

The 32-year-old centre-half has resumed light training, but is yet to join in with the rest of Newcastle’s first-team group and remains a number of weeks away from an anticipated return to the matchday squad.

Nevertheless, he was included in Howe’s 25-man selection, with his fellow central defender, Clark, omitted from the squad.

“Fede is edging closer,” said Newcastle’s head coach, ahead of this evening’s game with Everton. “I don’t see him being too far away.

“I also think Fede is a really, really important person in terms of his leadership qualities within the group. I think he’s a real fighter, in terms of our position in the league at the moment, and I think he’s a really inspirational figure around the club.

“I was desperate to try to keep him available for selection. I was desperate to try to get Ciaran in the 25 as well, but unfortunately you do the maths and someone has to miss out.

“We signed Dan (Burn), who is a left footer as well, and we felt that gave us that option on the left-hand side.

“It was difficult decisions. I love all the lads, but when you’re in my position, you have to make some tough calls.”

Clark was one of three senior players to miss out on the squad selection, with Jamal Lewis and Isaac Hayden also now unable to play in the remainder of the season.

Hayden is nursing an injury that would have kept him sidelined for the next two months away, but Clark and Lewis will remain with the first-team group on the training ground.

That has the potential to create a degree of awkwardness, but Howe is confident the duo’s professionalism will prevent it from becoming a major problem.

“Jamal has been struggling with a long-term groin injury for probably the last year,” he said. “He’s been fit, but not 100 per cent fit, so he’s gone away in the last few weeks and tried to get that groin right.

“He’s also had a hamstring problem in the last few weeks, so I felt with Jamal not being 100 per cent fit to play and Paul Dummett then getting injured against Leeds, we needed to sign a recognised left-back.

“That meant then that with the numbers of the squad, people had to miss out. Due to the fact he’s (Lewis) not been quite right, I felt that was the right decision to make.

“We gave them (Lewis and Clark) a chance to go out on loan, and I think that was the fairest thing to do.

“It’s obviously different with Isaac because he’s injured and probably won’t be back until some time in April. That one was slightly easier in the respect that he’s not going to be available for a long period of time.

“With the other guys, Jamal is getting treatment on his groin at the moment so he’s not here, so we’ve got Ciaran who is training with the group and whose attitude has been first class. I’ve got no problem with him at all, it’s just unfortunate that due to numbers he missed out.

“I don’t think we’ll have an issue. I always say to the players that I always show them respect by being as honest as I can in any situation, and all we ask back is the same respect. If we get that from each other, then the relationship will be fine.

“Training performances are very important. I take training very seriously, so as long as the training levels are very high, I don’t see any problems with the lads.

“I’ve got to say, the players’ attitudes have been first class, even in disappointment. I can’t speak highly enough of those individuals that I had to deal with.”