Newcastle hope to have Fabian Schar back available next month after Sven Botman was ruled out with injury
Fabian Schar of Newcastle United has been out of action since picking up an injury against Leeds United in January
Newcastle's Fabian Schar has been out of action since picking up an injury against Leeds United in January(Image: MI News/NurPhoto)
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Newcastle United are hopeful of welcoming Fabian Schar back into the fold for the trip to Crystal Palace next month, as the Swiss defender steps up his recovery from ankle injury.
Schar last played for the Magpies in their 4-3 win over Leeds United back in January but picked up an injury in that dramatic win at St James' Park that required surgery.
But the 34-year-old has worked hard to return, doing some individual rehab in the Middle East before the well documented troubles in that region saw him return to Tyneside.
And after news of Sven Botman's injury yesterday ruled him out of action until the final few weeks of the season, Schar's return to action couldn't be more crucial, with Malick Thiaw and Dan Burn the only other fit, senior central defensive options available to Eddie Howe.
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With the best part of three weeks to go until Newcastle return to action at Selhurst Park, United are hopeful they can welcome the former Swiss international back into the fold ahead of their trip to South London.
"He's been working hard," Howe said last week.
"He was in the Middle East training, of course that was difficult for him. But he's back, doing well. I think he's feeling good about his body, he's feeling good on his rehab. He's certainly been a big miss for us, Fabi.
"He's such a great user of the ball, and his passing range has been a huge miss to the team. And also his character, he's a great lad, and really well liked by his teammates.
Fabian Schar of Newcastle United is consoled by Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United, after being stretchered off following an injury vs Leeds United
Fabian Schar is consoled by Eddie Howe after being stretchered off following an injury vs Leeds United
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"Hopefully, we can get him fit. We've got a good period of training time with him, so the Palace game, I'm sure, will be a target for him, whether that's realistic or not. But let's wait and see."
Thiaw has been forced to play a lot of football in Schar's absence, given he is the only other natural right-sided central defender in the squad.
Schar's return will be a huge plus and he should be bristling with personal ambition, too, as he fights to prove he is worthy of a new contract at St James' Park with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
Having joined the club in the summer of 2018, Schar is in his eighth season at the club and it remains to be seen whether that stay will be extended into a ninth term on Tyneside.
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