Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar will have to pass a series of protocols pertaining to his concussion before he is allowed to return to the first team after his head injury with Switzerland, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim that after the centre back was knocked out through a clash of heads while on international duty, he has returned to light training and has been monitored by the backroom staff since coming back to the club.
Having undergone a series of tests, it is stated that he will have to pass protocols before he can step back into the fray, missing Monday night’s clash with Arsenal through suspension, and that FIFA’s suggestion is six days rest between the incident and a return to action.
Opinion
Schar should be fine for when Newcastle take on Crystal Palace this coming weekend, but you just have to hope that he is not feeling any ill effects of the head injury. It was a nasty clash which knocked him out cold and while he might be okay in terms of a concussion, there could still well be a nasty bruise which could leave him with one serious headache. As a centre back, you want to be suffering from no ill effects when you step out onto the pitch, especially when it comes to your head, as you know you are going to be involved in a number of aerial challenges throughout the 90 minutes. Schar might well pass the protocols set out in place by the medical staff but if he is not feeling 100 per cent then he should not be selected to start. However, after the defeat to Arsenal, you can be sure Rafael Benitez would want him back in the starting XI sooner rather than later.
