Fabian Schar will miss Newcastle United’s next matches after sustaining a head injury during the Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
The 33-year-old defender was struck in the head by a powerful shot from Marcus Rashford at St James’ Park. Despite initial treatment and clearaning the concussion protocols, Schar struggled to continue and was eventually substituted before half-time.
Rashford opened the scoring shortly after the incident, exploiting the visibly shaken centre-back. Head coach Eddie Howe
defended the decision to let Schar on the pitch, saying medical staff had cleared him to keep playing.
However, Newcastle confirmed precautions are being taken, and the player himself admitted his absence on social media.
“Disappointed not to have got more from the game but plenty more points to pick up this campaign! Unfortunately, I am gonna miss a few games but hope to be back soon,” Schar wrote on X.
The Switzerland international, who retired from national duty earlier this year, will definitely sit out Saturday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth and Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Bradford City.
Schar’s status for the league clash with Arsenal on September 28 and the Champions League group match against Union Saint-Gilloise remains uncertain.
This latest setback marks the second head injury Schar has suffered in recent weeks. He was also forced off against Liverpool in August before returning the following weekend. The recurrence raises concerns about his availability for a defensive unit already stretched by injuries and rotation demands, as stout as the Magpie defenders have been this season.
Newcastle will now rely on Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw and the always-on-the-outside-looking-in Jamaal Lascelles as their main options to man the center-back roles in the coming fixtures.
