Eddie Howe says that Fabian Schar was playing through the pain before the break

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Fabian Schar is having arguably his best season at Newcastle United since he arrived here in 2018 and he’s clearly enjoying it too as Eddie Howe has now shared that he’s been playing whilst injured.

In Eddie Howe‘s first press conference since returning from the warm-weather training camp in Dubai, Howe has said how much the trip has benefitted the squad, particularly those carrying knocks going into the break.

“The break was good,” said Howe. “It’s been good for some players, it gave us an opportunity to rest a couple that were carrying injuries. Fabian Schar is a prime example of someone who played through pain so the break came at a good time for him.”

Fabian Schar has been playing through the pain

Signing for just £3million from Deportivo, Schar now looks like an absolute steal. His Newcastle career has been fraught with ups and downs and at one point it looked like the Swiss International’s time at St James’ Park was up. But like so many others, Schar found himself reborn under Eddie Howe.

The 31-year-old has now garnered a fantastic partnership with Sven Botman at the heart of the Premier League’s most miserly defence.

It shows how much he’s enjoying his current spell in the team that he was willing to play through the pain in order to keep his place in the side.

Schar can emulate Phillipe Albert on Sunday

Hopefully now after a break, Schar will be back to 100% fitness ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Sunday. We will need everyone in tip-top shape as we aim to exact revenge for our Wembley heartache.

Of course, the last time Newcastle faced Manchester United at Wembley and then at St James’ Park in the same season in 1996, revenge was very much taken. After a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the Charity Shield, Newcastle felt they had a point to prove at St James’ Park and boy did they. Beating the Champions 5-0, sealing the victory with centre-back Phillipe Albert sending a delicious lob over the head of Peter Schmeichel.

Fabian Schar reminds me of Albert, both are capable defenders with a penchant for striding forward and unleashing a fierce shot. Maybe Schar will be our 21st Century Albert on Sunday.