![Schar didn’t feature for Newcastle in their final three pre-season matches after picking up a hamstring injury against Chelsea last month. The Swiss centre-back has only just returned to training with Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe appearing optimistic regarding the player’s potential involvement this weekend.
“As we currently stand, yes he will be [involved],” the Newcastle boss said in his pre-match press conference. “He has trained this week, he has trained well. He was back with us on Tuesday so he’s had a full week’s training.”](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/09/16/GettyImages-1554596346.jpg?trim=0,0,30,0&crop=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
Newcastle will be hoping to build on their fourth place finish from last season while juggling Champions Leaguefootball while Aston Villa will be competing in the Conference League after finishing seventh last term.
Both sides head into the new season with several injury concerns with a number of players already ruled out for the coming weeks.
Here is the injury list for both Newcastle United and Aston Villa as it stands heading into the opening day of the season...
9. Aston Villa: Bertrand Traore (muscular injury) - out
Bertrand Traore suffered a muscular injury while on international duty with Burkina Faso and is yet to return to action. | Getty Images
10. Aston Villa: Leander Dendoncker (muscular injury) - out
Leander Dendoncker has been ruled out for at least another month due to a muscle injury that will see him miss the opening matches of the new season. | Getty Images
11. Aston Villa: Tim Iroegbunam (surgery) - out
Young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam spent last season on loan in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers before undergoing surgery at the end of the campaign. He has played no role for Aston Villa in pre-season and is unlikely to be involved in the Premier League opening matches this season. | Getty Images