"Probably thought that himself" - Downie says ace expected Newcastle exit, but now he could stay

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie reckons that Fabian Schar would have felt that his Newcastle career was over earlier this season.

The 69-cap Switzerland international had fallen out of favour under Steve Bruce, only winning his place back once Eddie Howe arrived back in October.

It’s been a strange campaign for the 30-year-old, who featured just twice in the Magpies’ opening 11 Premier League games and looked set for a January exit.

Despite Bruce opting for a back three, the likes of Isaac Hayden, Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark were all preferred in the early weeks of the season.

But soon after Howe replaced Bruce, Schar started to enjoy an upturn in game-time, with the experienced defender starting 17 of the Toon Army’s last 18 top-flight fixtures and was even picked to captain the side in the last of those against Everton before the international break.

According to WhoScored, Schar has been Newcastle’s seventh-best player this term and third-best defender with an average rating of 6.71.

He makes the second-most interceptions in the Magpies squad (1.4) and third-most clearances (4.1), every 90 minutes, highlighting his defensive output since coming into the side, although he’s also made a difference up the other end, scoring once, and assisting twice.

It’s been some turnaround for Schar, who’s established himself as a nailed on starter under Howe having previously looked out of the door at St James’ Park.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He was the one for me who looked like he was probably out of the picture the most and was set to leave, he probably thought that himself.

“But some of these players will want to be part of the future and want to be part of something good.”

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