Eddie Howe provides Fabian Schar injury update after Newcastle United withdrawal

Eddie Howe provided an update on Fabian Schar after the defender limped out of Newcastle United’s 1-0 defeat to Mainz 05.

The Switerzland international was forced to withdraw moments before he was due to be substituted on the hour-mark.

Dan Burn replaced the 30-year-old before Howe made 10 changes, bringing on the likes of Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Jonjo Shelvey and Callum Wilson.

“I think he’s OK,” Howe told reporters at the Kufstein Arena. “When he came off the pitch he said it felt more like a cramp feeling rather than a pull.

“Fingers crossed he’s alright.”

The Magpies suffered their first defeat of pre-season with Delano Burgzorg scoring the only goal of the game on 58 minutes.

“I thought it was a better performance today than it was in our first game here.

“It is the end of a long week, the lads have done a lot of training.

“I was pleased with certain aspects today, obviously we needed to improve around their goal. Our creativity wasn’t quite there.

“When you watch pre-season games back, you have to have a critical eye while acknowledging where the lads are at.

“The most important thing is we’re ready for the first game.”