Newcastle United defender hailed as ‘superb’ by Magpies legend Alan Shearer

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes Magpies defender Fabian Schar has answered some questions being asked of his with his ‘superb’ form this season.

The signings of Dan Burn and Sven Botman over the last two transfer windows had led some to speculate whether the Swiss international had a long-term future at St James Park. But Schar has risen to the challenge and has quickly become an essential part of Eddie Howe’s squad.

After impressing alongside Burn as the Magpies rose away from the Premier League relegation zone and secured a mid-table finish last season, Schar continued to impress in pre-season and has carried his momentum into the current campaign with a string of consistently impressive performances.

After getting his season underway with a stunning strike in the opening day home win against Nottingham Forest, the £3m Rafa Benitez signing has gone on to appear in all-but-one of United’s Premier League fixtures as the Magpies have made an impressive start to the campaign.

It says a lot about Schar’s standing that he remained on the bench as Howe’s side suffered their only defeat of the season at Liverpool, before returning to the starting lineup and helping United embark on a 10-game unbeaten run that has catapulted them into third place as the Premier League takes a seven-week break for the World Cup Finals.

Schar’s form has led United’s all-time record goalscorer Shearer to select him alongside team-mates Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron in his Premier League team of the season so far.

Speaking of his selection, the Magpies legend said: “The other centre-half I’m going for is Fabian Schar at Newcastle. Under Steve Bruce one or two fans were questioning him, but his performances under Eddie Howe have been superb. He’s been a huge part alongside Pope and Trippier in why Newcastle have looked so tight at the back this season.”

Schar will hope to add to his 73 international caps when the Swiss face Cameroon in their opening World Cup fixture on Thursday.