Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has confirmed that defensive partner Fabian Schar is back in training after his injury fears from the international break.
The centre back, who arrived at St James’ Park last summer, was on international duty with Switzerland when he was knocked out in a clash of heads, although he was allowed to continue playing.
Withdrawn from his country’s next game due to the head injury, Lascelles revealed on Friday that he was back among the squad and performing well on the training ground in an update on the Swiss ace which had the English powerhouse delighted – although knows he will be unavailable for the club’s clash against Arsenal due to suspension.
He told Keith Downie on Sky Sports News (29/03, 12:33): “He’s trained this morning, trained really well actually, I asked him about it, I thought he swallowed his tongue or something, that’s what someone said but it was just a clash of heads and I think he got knocked out.
“It happens, every centre half will probably happen to them once in their career, so he’s got round it fine and glad to have him back here healthy.”
Opinion
It is great for the Newcastle faithful that Schar is not feeling many, if any, ill effects of what was a worrying sight during the international break and they will no doubt be excited to see him back in the starting XI sooner rather than later. Everyone has gone on about how Virgil van Dijk has transformed Liverpool’s defence but the Swiss international has had the same sort of effect at St James’ Park, bringing a ball playing quality that no one else has been able to provide at the back. He has the passing ability of a cultured midfielder, pinging balls across the pitch that Jonjo Shelvey would be proud of, while he has shown how well he can carry the ball through the middle of the pitch like Ayoze Perez or Miguel Almiron. Having him back in action is all the Magpies faithful want to see after his injury fears and all being well that should come after this game against Arsenal.
