Fitness boost for Newcastle ahead of Chelsea clash as Fabian Schar in full training with Switzerland

Fabian Schar has quickly recovered from an injury issue (Picture: Getty Images)

Newcastle have plenty of injury concerns ahead of their meeting with Chelsea on Saturday but Fabian Schar is no longer one of them as he returns to full training with Switzerland.

The Magpies have an epic injury list but hope that some of their stricken stars will be fit to take on the Blues at St James’ Park this weekend.

Schar is expected to be fine to play after a minor hamstring problem he suffered in the defeat at Bournemouth last time out.

The 31-year-old defender was not involved in Switzerland’s game against Israel last week and was an unused substitute against Kosovo on Saturday, but is available for selection against Romania on Tuesday.

The Swiss have already secured qualification to Euro 2024, but must beat Romania to finish top of their group so it is no dead rubber in Bucharest.

Schar being passed fit is a big plus for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who also hopes to see Aleksandr Isak, Miguel Almiron and Sean Longstaff shake off injury problems in time for Saturday.

Isak’s groin problem and Almiron’s hamstring injury have not fully cleared up and they remain doubts for the weekend but there is hope they will return, while Longstaff is expected to be fine.

Kieran Trippier has withdrawn from the England squad and will not play against North Macedonia on Monday night, but that is down to a ‘personal matter’ and he is expected to play on Saturday.

Still sidelined though injury are Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Elliot Anderson, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett, while Lewis Hall unable to play at the weekend as he is on loan from Chelsea and Sandro Tonali is still banned for betting offences.

Bruno Guimaraes will return after a one-match ban kept him out of the loss at Bournemouth.


MORE : Gareth Southgate confirms Jarrod Bowen has pulled out of England squad due to injury


MORE : Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier set to face Chelsea despite leaving England duty for ‘personal matter’

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