Newcastle United are never far from an injury issue.
Indeed, Newcastle endured a frankly ridiculous injury crisis last season, so much so that Joe Cole suggested things needed looking at behind the scenes.
Such were the extent of the issues, there was a school of thought suggesting it cannot just be a case of bad luck.
While there is some merit in that, bad luck also cannot be discounted. Harvey Barnes, after all, suffered the type of injury the club’s medical staff had never seen in football before.
So, whenever a player goes down injured, there’s reason for Newcastle fans to be concerned.
That actually happened on Saturday as Newcastle beat French side Brest to win the Sela Cup.
Fabian Schar was forced off towards the end of the game, though Eddie Howe has provided a positive update.
Eddie Howe shares latest Fabian Schar injury update
Fortunately, it doesn’t seem as if the defender’s injury is of particular concern.
Mark Douglas of iNews took to social media platform X after the game to note that Howe did not sound overly worried about what is believed to be an ankle sprain.
Newcastle cannot afford defensive injuries
Losing Schar for any length of time would be a blow.
While Lloyd Kelly has already come into the club this summer, Howe is still without what looks to be his primary defensive target.
Marc Guehi’s agents have now left it to Crystal Palace and Newcastle to thrash out a deal, with the Magpies having seen an offer rejected.
Without Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles due to injury as things stand, not having Schar available would be a huge blow, forcing Kelly to partner either Dan Burn or Emil Krafth in central defence on his competitive debut for the club.
Thankfully, it to doesn’t look too bad…
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