Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar is “unlikely” to be available for the clash against Arsenal this weekend, according to reports.

Chronicle Live claim that the Swiss international is not expected to be in the matchday squad for the match at St James’ Park due to concussion protocols.

Schar picked up a head injury during the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona last Thursday. He was substituted just after the hour mark, with Malick Thiaw taking his place alongside Dan Burn in the back four.

There are exactly 10 days between the Barca and Arsenal matches, which is 4 days beyond the minimum return to play time for concussions.

However, it appears Schar won’t be involved in Sunday’s game, which will be a blow for manager Eddie Howe.

Newcastle are already without 2 other first-team players

Yoane Wissa has been ruled out for the Arsenal fixture. The striker sustained a knee injury whilst away with the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this month, and he is not expected to recover before the next international break.

Jacob Ramsey, meanwhile, is currently on the sidelines with an ankle problem. The midfielder was forced off at half-time during the 0-0 draw against Leeds and he is set to make his comeback at the same time as Wissa, with the match versus Brighton in mid-October pencilled in for their return.

Who will take Schar’s place in the starting eleven?

Thiaw and Sven Botman started the 4-1 win over Bradford City in the Carabao Cup midweek. Dan Burn was given a rest, being left out of the squad entirely.

All three started in a back three in the last Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, so it will be up to Howe which players and which system he chooses to go with against Arsenal.

In other news, Gary Neville believes the “pressure” is “on Arsenal ahead of the game versus Newcastle