'Wait & see' - Newcastle United injury U-turn after key man ruled out of two games

Fabian Schar could play for Newcastle United again this season, despite Eddie Howe last week casting doubt over that scenario.

The Switzerland defender picked up a hamstring injury in the recent win over Sheffield United. And ahead of last weekend’s 4-1 win at Burnley, Howe said: “Fabian, I think, will miss a period of time out with a minor hamstring problem. He won’t be available tomorrow and doubt we’ll see him again this season.”

However, while Schar is expected to miss Saturday’s Premier League clash at home to Brighton and Hove Albion, Howe hasn’t ruled out his return against Manchester United and Brentford.

“I don’t think he’ll figure tomorrow but we’ll wait and see about next week,” said Howe. He’s certainly improving and feeling good.”

Meanwhile, the Magpies will make a late decision on Kieran Trippier’s fitness. The England international has been sidelined for nine weeks with a calf injury but returned to first-team training this week.

Trippier stepped up his comeback last week after travelling to Dubai with a Newcastle fitness coach.

"Kieran is getting closer; he has trained this week,” Howe revealed. “It was the first time with the group. He trained well, it has been a good week for him. I will make a decision today whether he will be involved tomorrow.

“I think he's desperate to be involved. He's been desperate to contribute for a few weeks, but I think he's experienced enough to know, he's had to manage himself and his injury to make sure that there's no recurrence of that calf because that could be really difficult if that did happen to him. But from what I've seen in training this week, I think he looks really good.

“He's refreshed, he's had some time away as well when he was training before this week, which I think has really helped him mentally and would help any player with that change of scenery, and I think he's ready to go.”

Two players that will be involved versus Brighton are Joelinton and Miguel Almiron. The duo made their respective comebacks as substitutes at Turf Moor.

Howe said: “They’ve trained well. It’s been a good week for them, they were able to get some good work into their bodies. And yeah, they’re still building their robustness I suppose - it’s probably the best way of putting it because you need the load behind you to enable you to stay fit. They’re two key players.”