Newcastle United have defensive concerns heading into the final few games of the season.
While Newcastle United remain on course for a top five finish in the Premier League to secure Champions League qualification, they have little margin for error left.
Aston Villa’s 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday made an already tight Premier League table even more congested and the pressure is on.
Eddie Howe has done a brilliant job in getting this reasonably thin Newcastle United squad to go again this season without much investment but could do without injuries to key players.
Sadly for Newcastle, Fabian Schar suffered a hamstring injury against Villa, although the severity of it remains to be seen.
Sven Botman has hinted he is close to a return to action and some interesting insight has now emerged.
Sven Botman injury latest for Newcastle United
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle won’t rush the Dutchman back into action.
They claim the 25-year-old has been out on the grass and has been involved in at least some training but there will seemingly be an element of caution applied.
Indeed, it’s said that Emil Krafth is the most likely player to deputise for Schar if the Swiss is unable to make Saturday’s home game with Ipswich.
Newcastle United’s record without Fabian Schar this season
Hopefully, Schar is able to make the game.
Still, Newcastle United manager Howe has been full of praise for Krafth before, which is certainly promising.
This season, Schar has missed four Premer League games and Newcastle have gone unbeaten in all of them.
| Games | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Not having him available would obviously be a blow but the omens are promising. Heavy favourites against the Tractor Boys anyway, they will hopefully have enough.
Rushing Botman back would not make sense unless it was an absolute emergency.
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