Eddie Howe issues update on Fabian Schar’s future as NUFC risk losing Swiss star

Eddie Howe has hailed Fabian Schar amid speculation about his Newcastle future, confirming he’s been admirer for a “long, long time” and wants to see him sign a new contract.

The Swiss centre-half has just six months left on his current deal at St James’ Park and NUFC risk losing him for NOTHING if he does not sign an extension.

Under Steve Bruce, Schar had fallen down the pecking order and looked destined to be headed for the exit, but he has had a resurgence under Howe – starting all four games under the former Bournemouth boss.

Few have been surprised by Schar’s inclusion in the side; he is our best ball-playing defender, attributes that make him tailor-made for Howe, who likes his sides to play out from the back.

Here’s what Howe had to says when asked if he’d like to keep the defender at the club as he enters the final six months of his contract:

“Yeah [I want to keep him], I think Fabian has been excellent.

“I have been an admirer of Fabian from afar for a long, long time.

“I think he’s a fantastic footballer.

“He fits my mould as to what I want for a centre-back.

“He can handle the ball, he’s very creative.

“He has also shown his defensive resilience and mentality to not want to concede.

“Fabian has defended really well and of course that is every defender’s first port of call.

“I thought together with Jamaal Lascelles he was excellent.”

It looked like his NUFC career was all set to fizzle out under Steve Bruce, meaning he’d more than likely leave for free next summer – if not on a cut-price deal next month.

However, with Howe in charge and a new style of in place, it looks like he might be a part of his plans moving forward.