Football
Exclusive: Newcastle Target January Centre-Back Signing After Fabian Schar Injury
Newcastle United are targeting a new centre-back following an ankle injury to Fabian Schar, with Eddie Howe considering a move for Bournemouth's Marsos Senesi. With transfer funds uncertain, young defender Alex Murphy may step in as emergency cover. The Magpies are assessing their options amidst defensive woes.
Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League by Stu Forster | Getty Images
Newcastle United have targeted signing a new centre-back this month as a replacement for the injured Fabian Schar, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe has revealed Switzerland international Schar will miss most of the remaining season after suffering ankle ligament damage.
Howe is hopeful the experienced defender will return before the end of the campaign, but is now looking elsewhere to plug the gap left by his untimely absence.
Irish young gun Alex Murphy was due to go out on loan to Premier League rivals Leeds United, but the 21-year-old centre-back will now stay at St James’ Park as emergency cover until the club find an experienced replacement for Schar in what is now a pivotal stage in the league season.
Our sources have learnt Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi is a target, especially as his current deal runs out this summer.
But SportsBoom also understands Howe is looking at whether he needs to spend big in the window to strengthen his defence, or there is a way of somehow working with the players at his disposal.
TRANSFER KITTY
A new defender is a priority but a lot depends on how much is available in the Magpies’ transfer kitty.
Additionally, it was reported earlier this week that Newcastle have added Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo to their January transfer shortlist.
“We’ll have to get a definitive scale on how long he’s going to be out, but at the moment we’re confident Fabian will be back before the end of the season,” revealed Howe.
“There’s a lot that can happen, both ins and outs, which depends on how we look towards the end of January.
“There may well be players leaving that need to play or loans for their development, but I don’t know right now.”
Howe is already without influential defender Dan Burn, the England centre-back sidelined with a broken rib and punctured lung.
That has left Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw, the club’s only fit centre-backs, to steady the ship with Burn missing and Howe’s defense under pressure.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.