Newcastle United star ruled out for 'a few weeks' as fresh injury blow could break January transfer deadlock
Newcastle United transfers: Fabian Schar’s injury could force Eddie Howe to dip into the transfer market this month.
Eddie Howe has claimed Newcastle United’s January transfer business will be dictated by the injury situation in his squad.
The Magpies have recently welcomed back Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento from injury with the situation appearing to clear up. That was until Fabian Schar suffered what looked like a serious ankle injury in Newcastle’s 4-3 win over Leeds United on Wednesday night.
Schar was stretchered off and taken to hospital following a clash with Dominic Calvert-Lewin at St James’ Park.
“Yeah, it doesn't look good for Fabian, he's in hospital at the moment, he's got an ankle problem,” Howe said after the match.
“So, yeah, it doesn't look good for him. We hope it's not as serious as it looks, we send him our love.
“Such an important player, he's been incredible for us since we've come to the football club, he's been almost an ever-present, he's always put his body on the line for the team, and it looks like he picked up a bad injury, unfortunately.”
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NUFC defence injury update as defender ruled out for another ‘few weeks’
Schar’s injury leaves Newcastle with just Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw as the only two available senior centre-backs amid a vital and busy run of fixtures. Thiaw has been virtually ever-present since coming into the side earlier in the season while Botman has struggled badly with injuries himself and has only just returned to fitness.
Of Newcastle’s other centre-backs, Dan Burn remains out with a rib injury while Jamaal Lascelles is still struggling for fitness following a long-term ACL injury absence and subsequent minor muscle problems.
“Jamaal is okay, he's still feeling his body is not 100% right, so he's not involved at the moment,” Howe explained. “Dan's back on the grass running, so positive steps, but he's still a few weeks away, I'd say.”
Newcastle United transfer plans take potential turn
Speaking about transfers ahead of the Leeds match, Howe admitted that Newcastle’s business would be dictated by the club’s injury situation.
“Very loose discussions in terms of the transfer window as well, because we're in the middle of a really busy spell of games,” Howe said.
“ I think we're all aware, Ross [Wilson] included, that as I've said before, our injury situation will dictate what happens in the market.
“I know the work's going on behind the scenes to prepare us for that. If we need to move, we can move.
“But if not, then we can keep our powder dry for the summer, because I think with the PSR world, as you talk about, anything we do now will impact us down the line.
“So I think we're in this sort of holding brief at the moment where we're awaiting to see what direction we take.”
But with Newcastle’s injury situation now getting worse with a potentially serious injury to Schar, Howe was asked if the latest injury blow changes things in terms of transfers.
“Yeah, it's a bit too early for me to give an assessment on that,” Howe admitted. “But we'll take a view as the window unfolds.”
As he has done at right-back, Lewis Miley slotted in as an emergency centre-back against Leeds following Schar’s withdrawal. The 19-year-old’s remarkable versatility could prove to be a short-term solution to Newcastle’s injury problems.