Why Joelinton & Fabian Schar missed Newcastle United's friendly win against Darlington
Why Fabian Schar and Joelinton didn’t feature in Newcastle United’s pre-season friendly win over Darlington.
Fabian Schar and Joelinton weren’t risked in Newcastle United’s behind-closed-doors friendly win against Darlington on Saturday.
Eddie Howe’s squad, excluding the players involved at this summer’s World Cup, reported back for pre-season training last Monday and capped off their first week back with a 3-0 victory over the National League North side, managed by former defender Steve Watson.
Howe opted to play two different XIs in each half. The first period was made up of senior players, except for Leo Shahar and Alex Murphy, who featured alongside Sven Botman and Lewis Hall in a four-man defence. Nick Pope lined up in between the sticks.
New signing Sean Steur played alongside Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey in midfield behind a three-man attack of Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes and Will Osula.
Willock opened the scoring for the Magpies in the 29th minute before six minutes later winning the penalty that Osula converted. The second half saw the under-21s take the field as Sean Neave added a third.
Ewen Jaouen made his debut following last month’s £18million move from Stade de Reims, while the likes of Trevan Sanusi, Park Seung-soo and Vakhtang Salia also got a chance to impress in front of the United head coach.
Why Fabian Schar & Joelinton missed Darlington win
There was no Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento, Schar and Joelinton involved for Newcastle, despite being spotted at the club’s training ground - now called The KNOX - in the week.
Although Miley is back running on the grass, he is still recovering from the fibula fracture he suffered during a training session in May, while Livramento has been limited to gym work after undergoing surgery on a calf problem late last month.
Schar and Joelinton’s respective absences were more unexpected, though it is worth remembering that both players ended last season on the sidelines through injury.
NewcastleWorld understands Schar is still working his way back from injury, having last featured in a match in January. The former Switzerland international suffered ankle ligament damage before a foot infection further delayed his return.
Joelinton missed the remaining three games of last term with a thigh issue and is understood to be being eased back in. Newcastle remain hopeful that all four players will play a part in pre-season.