Fabian Schar has been pictured back in Newcastle United training ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at home to Arsenal (kick-off 4:30pm).
The former Switzerland international sustained a head injury during the second half of last week’s 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.
Schar initially tried to continue before withdrawing near the hour-mark. After the match, he was diagnosed with a “12-day concussion”, according to head coach Eddie Howe.
The 33-year-old also wrote on social media that he would “miss a few games”. He has already sat out of matches against AFC Bournemouth and Bradford City, and had been expected to miss today’s encounter versus Arsenal.
Fabian Schar pictured back in Newcastle United training ground
However, Schar being pictured in training on Friday has left supporters speculating over a return versus Arsenal.
FA rules state that the earliest return-to-play date for a player must occur 12 days after the initial head injury or seven days if exceptional criteria are met.
The initial 12-day protocol ends on Tuesday, which will allow Schar to appear in Wednesday’s Champions League clash away to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, if not against Arsenal.
Newcastle United cope in Fabian Schar’s absence
In Schar’s absence, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe went with a back five at Bournemouth, with Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Dan Burn as the three central defenders.
Against Bradford on Wednesday, Burn was rested and Thiaw and Botman partnered each other at centre-half.
Asked about a long-term partnership developing between Thiaw and Botman, Howe said: “Just looking individually at the players, I think Sven, for us, has been a magnificent player.
“You go back a couple of seasons ago, he was part of the back four that was really resilient and solid and formed a brilliant back four that was playing consistently at that time because we weren’t in the Champions League.
“I think everyone knows Sven’s qualities. The injury came at a bad time for him. He’s had to work his way back and whenever you have a long-term injury there is a period where you have to go through a training period for me where you’re trying to find your best form.
“There’s been some really positive signs in the last couple of games that we’re close to seeing him back to his very best and he’s a massive player.
“Malick is in a different situation joining a new club but certainly he’s really impressed us in the early weeks.”
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