Fabian Schar will suddenly be feeling the heat at Newcastle United.
The 34-year-old has returned to the Newcastle United starting XI in recent weeks, getting back into the side following Dan Burn’s injury.
It follows a frustrating situation for Schar, having found himself on the bench after suffering a concussion in the Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
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The Swiss veteran was forced to watch on as Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman flourished together, while Lewis Hall’s return to fitness allowed Burn to play at centre-back ahead of him as well.
Injuries created an opportunity for Schar, but now he may suddenly have competition yet again.
Eddie Howe says Sven Botman is almost back from injury
Since Burn’s injury against Sunderland, Schar and Thiaw have been the Magpies’ only fit senior centre-backs.
That could be about to change, as Eddie Howe has provided a positive update on Sven Botman’s back injury ahead of Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace.
“Sven’s been training with the group which has been great so I envisage him being in and around this game,” Howe said via X.
It was recently reported that Botman should return in early January, and that looks set to be the case. Botman has said on Instagram that he is ‘ready’, hinting that he could be involved against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
His looming availability should force Schar to raise his game, as it means he is no longer guaranteed a place in the starting XI.
Schar has seen firsthand how good Botman and Thiaw are together, and will be determined to ensure that their reunion is delayed for as long as possible.
Botman’s return is a major boost for Eddie Howe, handing him the kind of competition for places that he has been missing as of late.
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There is even more incentive for Schar to raise his game, as he enters the final six months of his current deal.
Schar’s Newcastle contract expires in the summer, and it remains to be seen if he will sign an extension.
Hopefully he does stay, as he has proved to be an extremely valuable player for Eddie Howe. However, that may depend on whether or not he thinks he can get the minutes he needs on Tyneside. While Howe would be reluctant to let Schar go, that has not been the case for a large chunk of this season.
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