Fabian Schar may have already played his final match for Newcastle United, with uncertainty growing around both his fitness and expiring contract.
The 34-year-old has not featured since January after suffering an ankle injury followed by a foot infection, and his return before the end of the season is still unclear.
“It’s not 100 per cent sure. His situation was unique because he was close to returning to full fitness and then got this infection,” Howe said. “He is looking stronger in his body, but
if he is going to be able to return before the end of the season is unsure.”
Howe’s comments leave open the possibility that Schar will miss all remaining Premier League fixtures, thus not playing for NUFC again. That’s because Schar’s contract is set to expire this summer, and all signs points toward his exit as a free agent come July.
Reports have indicated that Newcastle are planning to reduce the average age of the squad, placing Schar’s long-term future in doubt despite his importance to the team in the past few years—but not quite this season.
Since Howe’s arrival in 2021, only a handful of players have featured more consistently, and his absence has coincided with defensive struggles, but it isn’t fair to put all of the weight of a horrid season on the veteran’s shoulders.
Still, Howe stopped short of offering clarity on what comes next and whether or not Schar will still be wearing the black and white stripes next season.
“A decision has not yet been made,” Howe said.
