Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Wed 25 March 2026 6:30, UK

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Fabian Schar has the chance to earn himself a new contract at Newcastle United as he returns to the fold while Sven Botman is out injured.

Schar is approaching the end of his Newcastle contract this summer and could well leave the club after eight years.

He has been an important part of their rise under Eddie Howe and is one of their longest-serving current players, but has found game-time harder to come by this season after Malick Thiaw’s summer arrival.

Schar has appeared 16 times in the Premier League this season, with his last outing coming on 7 January as he suffered an ankle injury that needed surgery.

Fellow centre-back Sven Botman has joined Newcastle’s injury list after suffering a facial fracture against Sunderland, however, and Schar now has the chance to earn a new deal as he returns to full fitness.

Sven Botman’s injury gives Fabian Schar a chance to play more before his contract expires

Botman collided with Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey during Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby that saw Howe’s side slip to a 2-1 defeat on home turf.

He had to be substituted in the 54th minute of the game, and the Magpies have since confirmed that he has undergone surgery and is expected to be available for the final weeks of the season.

His woes serve as a boost to Schar, from a contract standpoint, as he is close to being available once again for Howe and will only have to compete with Thiaw and Dan Burn for places at centre-back until the last few games of the campaign.

Howe insisted last week that the 34-year-old is set to return to the fold after the international break, so he should be a part of their matchday squad against Crystal Palace on 12 April.

He needs to play games if he wants to earn a new contract, and could well be handed a start against any of Bournemouth, Arsenal, Brighton or Nottingham Forest now that Botman is sidelined.

Howe wants Schar to stay at Newcastle beyond this summer

Schar is clearly highly rated by Howe, having featured over 250 times for Newcastle and made at least 40 appearances in each of their last three full seasons.

The Swiss international has spoken of his affection for the Magpies this season, and hinted that he wants to stay if the club offer him new terms.

Speaking in October, he said: “I have said before that I feel at home here. I know in football you never know what happens and it goes quick.

“If that’s something that can happen, that would be good. I would be open to it of course.

“We need to see what the situation is and what happens…I will just try to show what I can do with my quality, and the rest we will see.”

Sources have told Football Insider that Howe wants Schar to sign a new contract as he is a key figure behind the scenes and still has a part to play on the pitch.

Missing out on Champions League qualification could force Newcastle to sell one of Thiaw or Botman, after they were linked with moves away recently, and so keeping Schar for another season would make even more sense in that instance.