Newcastle star close to tears as he’s forced off just 21 minutes into second game back from SIX-MONTH injury lay-off
INJURY-JINXED Newcastle star Fabian Schar’s return to action after a six-month lay-off ended in agony.
The Swiss centre-half hobbled off early as his comeback turned into a nightmare, with the Toon slumping to an alarming 4-1 pre-season defeat at Bristol City.
A dejected Schar headed straight to the dressing room on 21 minutes for treatment after collapsing in a heap with what looked like a muscle injury on the half-way line.
It was cruel on Schar, 34, who has been battling his way back to fitness after being sidelined with an ankle injury and then a foot infection.
He had been relishing his ninth campaign with the Geordies after signing a new one-year contract extension last month.
And the sight of him trudging off was a blow for Toon boss Eddie Howe whose preparations for the new campaign have gone from bad to worse.
He has already lost the services of Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali with Bruno Guimaraes’ future also looking uncertain amid Arsenal interest.
Howe desperately needs reinforcements before the Prem season starts judging by their abject Ashton Gate show.
For shambolic Newcastle looked utterly leaderless after Schar, who was crocked in a 4-3 win over Leeds at St James Park way back in January, limped off.
Ex-Sunderland forward Sam Greenwood rubbed salt into the wounds six minutes after Schar’s unfortunate exit with a stunning free-kick for the Robins.
And then City’s new striker Lorent Tolaj brushed Sven Botman aside before beating the Tynesiders’ new French keeper Ewen Jaouen.
Max Bird piled on the agony after half-time when he broke clear before driving past Jaouen as Newcastle’s leaden defence was prised apart.
Toon skipper Harvey Barnes gave the travelling fans something to shout about on 78 minutes with a cool finish.
But things ended on a low for Howe’s men as the below-par Botman sliced Sam Bell’s low cross beyond Jaouen on 81 minutes.
