Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce has delivered a vital update on potential return games for Magpies defensive duo Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune.
The Switzerland international missed last week’s draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers with a slight knock, while Lejeune made his return with the Under-21s on Monday after being out since April.
Bruce has provided an update: “Fabian could be available for Bournemouth [next week],” he said at his pre match press conference, as per The Northern Echo. “If not, we’ll be into the international break. He’s been sore with his knee, but we don’t think it’s too serious.
“He [Lejeune] will play again at Aston Villa on Monday. We’re hoping he will get 75 or 80 [minutes], if he comes through that we’ve got another two weeks of the international break and hopefully he’ll then be available.”
OPINION
The sooner these two are back in the Newcastle first team the better, and make no mistake about it. Yes, Federico Fernandez had a good game against Wolves last week, while Ciaran Clark has performed decently on the left hand side of the back three in recent weeks. Lejeune was tremendous for the Magpies last campaign, coming into the team mid-way through the season and forming a solid centre back trio with Schar and Jamaal Lascelles. What Schar has done this term has been fantastic, which is why every Newcastle fan will be hoping he’s back fit to take on Bournemouth next time out. As per WhoScored.com, the 27-year-old is averaging 2.4 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game this season, to go with 5.1 clearances and 1.1 blocks. Meanwhile, he has scored once and is averaging 1.2 shots per outing from centre half. The sooner both he and Lejeune are back the better as far as the north east giants are concerned.
