Newcastle United have released training pictures ahead of this weekend’s game with Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Fabian Schar taking part after suffering a concussion.
Schar did not feature in Newcastle‘s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, and it was reported after the game that he was actually unavailable due to suffering a concussion in the Carabao Cup final.
The 31-year-old went down with a head injury against Manchester United at Wembley, but was allowed to play on. However, he was not passed fit for the following fixture.
Jamaal Lascelles took his place and performed well. But now the captain’s position in the side is under threat with Schar back in training. The Athletic’s Chris Waugh recently stated that the Switzerland international is expected to be fine to face Wolves, and his return to training is a welcome one.
Fabian Schar joined in Newcastle training by 19-year-old
Schar is heavily involved in the official training pictures that Newcastle released from Wednesday’s session, and there is also an appearance from a Toon youngster.
It appears that Eddie Howe has called up 19-year-old James Huntley. He is a centre midfielder, and signed his first professional contract with the Magpies during the summer of 2022.
Huntley has made 11 Premier League 2 appearances for the Newcastle United Under-21s this season, and featured in the recent 5-2 defeat to West Brom. That game saw forgotten man Rodrigo Vilca find the net in Toon colours for the first time since 2020.
For Huntley, it is a great chance to show Howe what he is capable of and learn from the senior pros around him. It’s not every day you get the chance to play alongside a Brazil international like Bruno Guimaraes.
Anthony Gordon nowhere to be seen
While the returning Schar and academy product Huntley were involved in training, Anthony Gordon is conspicuous by his absence.
The £45million January signing is not featured in any of the pictures that the club have released ahead of the game against Wolves.
That is a slight concern, as the 22-year-old will be hoping to make his first Newcastle start at St James’ Park. He was named in the starting XI for the first time on Saturday, taking Allan Saint-Maximin’s place against Manchester City.
Gordon was lively at the Etihad, but his afternoon was epitomised by an embarrassing air shot early on in the game.
Hopefully there is nothing to worry about when we receive an update from Howe, who will speak to the media on Friday.