Newcastle’s injury nightmare continues as Fabian Schar and Joelinton are forced off in the first half against Fulham with problems mounting for Eddie Howe

• Schar and Joelinton were both injured in Saturday’s 3pm clash with Fulham 
• Howe had previously expressed concerns over fixture congestion for his players
• Is there now huge pressure on Newcastle to finish in the top four? Listen to the debate on It’s All Kicking Off 

Eddie Howe’s injury worries have continued to mount after Fabian Schar and Joelinton were forced off in the first half of Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Fulham.

The Swiss defender pulled up in the opening 15 minutes of the match at St James’ Park.

Howe was forced into the early change with Schar replaced by Emil Krafth.

The 31-year-old has been an ever-present in Newcastle’s starting eleven in the Premier League and Champions League this season.

Schar has played every minute for the Magpies in both competitions during their packed schedule.

Fabian Schar was forced off with injury after 15 minutes of Newcastle’s match against Fulham

Newcastle problems were compounded further with the loss of Joelinton before half-time

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had expressed concerns over the fixture congestion for his side

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In total, Schar has clocked up 1,980 minutes for Newcastle in his 23 appearances in all competitions this season.

Brazilian midfielder Joelinton was then forced off in the 36th minute with a reported thigh issue, with teenager Lewis Miley brought on.

Joelinton has featured in 19 matches for Newcastle this season. 

Howe will be left fearing spells on the sidelines for Schar and Joelinton, who looks likely to miss their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Chelsea in midweek.

The Newcastle boss had expressed concerns over the demands placed on his players in having to play multiple matches due to the club’s injury list. 

‘We are getting a couple of players back but not in their best physical condition,’ Howe said on Friday.

‘Then you’ve got players that are having to keep playing that are picking up things.’

Howe has been boasted by the return of defenders Dan Burn and Sven Botman this week.

Burn returned to the starting eleven against Fulham after a midweek substitute appearance in their 2-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League, which ended their European campaign.

The defender had missed seven matches due to a back injury.

Botman was named on the bench against Fulham as the Dutch defender steps up his comeback following a knee problem.

Schar was an ever present in Newcastle’s side in the Premier League and Champions League

Joelinton has played 19 matches in all competition for Howe’s side so far this season

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The 23-year-old had missed 16 matches since sustaining the injury back in September.

Newcastle were rocked by the news this week that Harvey Barnes had suffered a setback in his recovery from a foot injury, amid fears he may require surgery.

Joe Willock is also out until January after a recent setback in his return from an Achilles injury.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope is a long-term absentee with a shoulder injury, with Matt Targett, Javier Manquillo, Jacob Murphy and Elliot Anderson also on the sidlines. 

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