Newcastle United’s injury situation is appalling.
Eddie Howe went into the Bournemouth game missing 11 players in total.
Bruno was suspended for just one game, Tonali was banned for the rest of the season, and there were no Newcastle United injuries listed (see below).
When Miguel Almiron was forced off after 31 minutes of Saturday’s match, the number of injuries increased to ten.
Eddie Howe is now dealing with yet another injury concern.
Fabian Schar has been ruled out of Switzerland’s match against Israel tonight, according to Swiss media. The Swiss Football Federation (SFV) confirmed the news to Blick.
A game in which a Swiss victory ensures qualification for the Euros in Germany next summer.
Fabian Schar report – 15 November 2023:
‘The SFV confirmed Fabian Schär’s absence from today’s game against Israel in the Pancho Arena in Felcsut at Blick’s request.
“After the high strain of the last few weeks, he is suffering from muscular problems,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported. For his club Newcastle, the Eastern Swiss player played every Premier League and Champions League game for 90 minutes.
The central defender will receive personalized individual training in the hotel with the Kondi trainer. Those players who did not start the game complete training after the game, but in the stadium.’
Here’s hoping that this is just a precaution, rather than a new serious worry for the manager.
Fabian Schar probably wouldn’t have been in the starting line-up anyway against Israel anyway, as Nico Elvedi is back available, he is usual first choice now alongside Manuel Akanji in central defence for Switzerland.
Plus, it is a very busy week for Switzerland as they have three games in the space of a week, this Israel game should have been played last month but was postponed. As well as tonight’s game in neutral Hungary, due to the situation in Israel, the Swiss also have Kosovo to play at home on Saturday (18 November) and Romania away next Tuesday (21 November).
So, while a win tonight would guarantee Switzerland’s progression to the finals, they could also advance even if they draw or lose tonight if they get the necessary result(s) in the other two matches.
Hopefully, this is just a bit of extra rest for Fabian Schar, and he’ll be able to play in one or both of his country’s remaining two matches.
Having both Botman and Schar out for any length of time isn’t something Eddie Howe would want, especially with central defense cover (and first choice left-back!) available. Dan Burn has already ruled himself out until the new year.
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