Eddie Howe has robustly responded to critics who claim his tenure at Newcastle has stagnated though he conceded that he’s striving to prevent "staleness" and is eyeing new talent during the January transfer window.

Schar is out of contract at the end of the season but is in talks to sign a new deal at St James’ Park having recently made his 200th appearance for Newcastle. Following his 200th match, Schar took to social media to post: “I could never have imagined to play 200 games for this incredible football club @NUFC!

Two years after a top-four finish and the return of Champions League football to St James’ Park, Eddie Howe appeared to be the man to bring the good times back to Newcastle United.