Newcastle United learn fresh illness concern

Illness forced Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar off at half-time during Switzerland’s heavy defeat to Portugal in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Schar and his international teammates were 2-0 at the break and the scoreline stretched to 6-1 by full-time after a hat-trick by Magpies summer target Goncalo Ramos and goals from Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao.

United fans questioned why Schar was an unused substitute in the Swiss’ opening two group games. He started the final group game against Serbia but noticeably struggled in the first half versus Portugal.

And it seems Swiss manager Murat Yakin has an explanation as to why, with the 30-year-old and two other players hit by illness in the build-up to the match.

Yakin said: “Unfortunately, (Silvan) Widmer had a cold. Same for Schar. He was out of breath at half-time. Elvedi (Nico) also had a fever. He was not fully ready. Schar wasn’t himself either.”

Newcastle will now decide when is the best return date for Schar ahead of the season restart, where they take on Bournemouth in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.

Sporting director Dan Ashworth suggested last month that United’s World Cup stars might not return until the Boxing Day clash at Leicester City at the earliest.

Ashworth said: “What’s complicated it is that some of the players will be at the World Cup, and you don’t know their return date,” said Ashworth.

“So if they get to the final, the return date is a week before the Leicester game (on December 26).

“If those players get knocked out in the group stages, the return date is week three of our break, so could have players dropping in at that stage.

“Some of them might have played in three of their games, some of them might not have played a minute of the World Cup. They were part of the squad. They’re coming back in different conditions.

“Whichever nations get to the final, if we have players playing for that nation, I think it’s unlikely that they’re going to be available for that cup game.

“It’s a unique season. It’s part of the challenge.”