Fabian Schar update - Good and bad news from Keith Downie on injury

In all the highs and emotions of Wednesday night’s dramatic 4-3 win over Leeds, the game was partially marred by the unfortunate injury to Fabian Schar.

Midway through the second half, a collision with Dominic Calvert-Lewin left Schar in agony, and forced the defender to be stretchered off, leaving Lewis Miley to deputise at centre back.

Taken to hospital after the game, Eddie Howe admitted that the injury didn’t look good, and there were fears that this would be a season-ending injury for Schar.

Late last night, a slightly more positive update on the star emerged, though whether we see him again this campaign still remains to be seen…

Sky Sports: Schar avoids serious injury

According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Fabian Schar has avoided an ankle break following Wednesday night’s injury incident.

Writing on X, Downie posted “The Swiss defender was in tears as he was taken to hospital last night, but tests showed there was no break.”

However, the extent of any ligament damage is not yet clear, with Schar still expected to face an ‘extended period’ on the sidelines.

We’ll get an update from Howe in his pre-match press conference this morning ahead of the FA Cup clash with Bournemouth on Saturday.

In some cases, breaks and fractures are actually ‘preferred’ to muscle, ligament and soft tissue damage, with players like Bruno Fernandes and Alexander Isak avoiding such serious injuries that would have taken longer to recover from.

With Schar in the final year of his current contract on Tyneside, there is a very real possibility he has played his final game for us should this be a season-ending injury.

And it’s an absence that could not have come at a worse time for Howe, as we’re back down to just two fit senior centre back options in Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman. Given just how many games we have left to play this month alone, we can perhaps expect Miley to get the nod in the heart of the defence at some point soon.