Newcastle United have been forced to rethink their January plans after suffering a major setback involving Fabian Schar, a development that has already had a knock-on effect within the squad.
The club had been preparing to send young defender Alex Murphy out on loan to gain much-needed experience, but those plans have now been put on hold following Schar’s injury during the dramatic midweek win over Leeds United at St James’ Park.
Schar was stretchered off during the 4–3 victory, sparking immediate concern among supporters and staff alike. The sight of the Swiss defender being carried off so early raised fears of a serious ankle injury that could rule him out for the remainder of the season.
As a result, Newcastle acted quickly to reassess their defensive options, deciding it would be unwise to let Murphy leave while uncertainty remains over Schar’s recovery timeline.
The positive news for Newcastle is that early assessments have ruled out a broken ankle. Medical checks confirmed that Schar has suffered ligament damage rather than a fracture, offering hope that he can return before the campaign concludes.
Even so, ligament injuries can still mean a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and the club are taking no chances. Schar is set to see a specialist, with Eddie Howe keen to gather as much clarity as possible before final decisions are made.
Howe has remained cautiously optimistic while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. He explained that the initial assessment suggested the injury may not be as bad as first feared, although the club are waiting on specialist advice to confirm the full extent of the damage.
The guidance Newcastle have received so far suggests Schar should return before the end of the season, but there are no guarantees at this stage.
Earlier in the week, Howe had spoken with visible concern about Schar’s condition, stressing just how important the defender has been to the team. Since Howe’s arrival, Schar has been a near ever-present, admired for his commitment, bravery, and willingness to put his body on the line for the cause. Losing him for any significant period would be a major blow to Newcastle’s defensive stability.
The injury also explains why Murphy was suddenly called into action during the Leeds match. After Schar went down, Murphy was summoned by coach Graeme Jones and appeared ready to enter the fray.
In the end, Howe opted to reshuffle, dropping Lewis Miley back into a central defensive role instead. That decision underlined the trust Howe has in Miley’s versatility but also highlighted the lack of depth currently available in defence.
With the loan move cancelled, Murphy now finds himself back in contention for first-team involvement. The Republic of Ireland youth international could feature in the upcoming FA Cup clash against Crystal Palace and may be asked to cover multiple positions across the back line.
Although he is short on match sharpness, the situation presents an unexpected opportunity for the young defender to prove his worth.
Murphy spent last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers, where he made 13 appearances and gained valuable experience. Despite that, Newcastle chose to keep him at the club during the summer, hoping to integrate him more closely with the senior squad. That has not gone entirely to plan, with Murphy making just two senior appearances this season and struggling for consistent minutes.
Adding to Newcastle’s defensive concerns is the ongoing absence of club captain Jamaal Lascelles. The experienced centre-back is still working his way back after a series of injury issues and is not yet ready to return. Howe confirmed that while Lascelles is improving, he is still not feeling 100 percent physically and remains unavailable for selection.
All of this leaves Newcastle walking a fine line as they navigate a busy and demanding period of the season. Injuries have once again tested the squad’s depth, forcing difficult decisions both on and off the pitch. For now, the focus will be on managing Schar’s recovery carefully while ensuring there is enough cover to remain competitive in league and cup competitions. With January still unfolding, Newcastle’s plans may continue to evolve, but the priority remains clear: protecting the squad while staying ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
