HE might be one of the best defenders in the Newcastle United squad, but Eddie Howe felt compelled to praise Fabian Schar for his passing skills in the wake of today’s 3-0 win over Wolves.

Back in partnership with Sven Botman, who was restored to the starting line-up after being rested in midweek, Schar helped Newcastle claim their first Premier League clean sheet since December as Wolves were restricted to a handful of second-half chances at St James’ Park.

The Swiss centre-half did not stop there though, as his passes helped set up all three of Newcastle’s goals.

Schar was involved in the moves that ended with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scoring before the break, and played a sensational long ball to send Tino Livramento scampering away as the full-back sealed the Magpies’ win in stoppage time.

“There won’t be many centre-halves like Fabby,” said Howe. “He is a total one-off, I think. He is a very good defender when he is absolutely concentrated and really well-trained. He is as good a defender as I’ve seen.

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“He reads the game really well, and the interceptions that he makes is second to none. But he would probably tell you that his biggest strengths are on the ball, and he can see things and execute things that I don’t see many other centre-halves capable of doing. That’s why he’s so important to us.

“Maybe the pass for the first goal is slightly easier than the pass for the last one. The pass for the last goal, I don’t think anyone else in the stadium saw, apart from maybe Tino, because he’s made the run. He maybe knows that Fabby is capable of playing him in. They were moments of absolute class.”

Howe also felt the return of Joe Willock helped increase his side’s attacking threat, with the midfielder making a series of energetic breaks towards Wolves’ 18-yard box.

In Willock’s absence, Newcastle’s midfield play tended to be somewhat one-paced, but with the 24-year-old back in the side, the Magpies are immediately a much more athletic and dynamic proposition.

“Naturally, I think our midfield does have a different complexion with him (Willock) in the team,” said Howe. “I think he has different qualities, although I have to compliment Lewie (Miley) when he came on because that’s a difficult game situation for someone so young, but I thought he did really well.

“But Joe does add a running and an athleticism that maybe we don’t have without him. I was delighted with his contribution. Yes, we’ve managed his game minutes, but it’s great that he’s come through three games and done really well.”