‘Big admirer’ - Eddie Howe appears keen for player to extend his contract at Newcastle United

Eddie Howe appears keen for Fabian Schar to stay at Newcastle United beyond this season.

The Magpies head coach has taken an instant liking to Schar after reinstating him into the starting XI after almost three months out of it.

Schar has started each of Howe’s four games in charge. Before that, the Switerzland international had played just two Premier League matches this term.

The 29-year-old signed a one-year extension in the summer, and Howe seems hopeful that Schar has a longer-term future on Tyneside.

What Eddie Howe said about Fabian Schar & his contract

When asked if he sees Schar staying beyond the summer when his contract expires, Howe said: “Yeah, I think Fabian’s been excellent.

“I’ve been an admirer of Fabian from afar for a long, long time.

“He’s a fantastic footballer and fits my mould in what I want in a centre-back in terms of he can handle the ball, very composed and creative but he also can defend.

“The pleasing thing in the last two games especially has been his defensive resilience and mentality to not want to concede. I think he’s defended really, really well, which of course with every centre-back that’s the first port of call.

“I thought together with Jamaal Lascelles, who was excellent today, those two set the foundation for the victory.”

Who else is out-of-contract at the end of the season?

The contracts of Geordie duo Sean Longstaff and Paul Dummett expire at the end of the campaign.

Talks have previously taken place with Longstaff over a new deal following his breakthrough in the 2018/19 season, however nothing has materialised.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has struggled to reach similar heights after a bad knee injury cruelly cut short his debut season.

Longstaff has made 11 league appearances this term, though has played just the 19 minutes under Howe, which came in the 3-3 draw with Brentford.

Dummett, after United took up an option to extend his contract by a further year in the summer, is yet to appear this season through injury.