Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has cast fresh doubt over Fabian Schär's future at St. James' Park, raising the possibility that the veteran defender may have already played his final game for the club.

The 34-year-old Swiss international hasn't featured since January, sidelined first by an ankle injury and then a subsequent foot infection. With his contract set to expire this summer, the clock is ticking on both his recovery and his Newcastle career.

"It's not 100 per cent sure. His situation was unique because he was close to returning to full fitness and then got this infection," Howe explained. "He is looking stronger in his body, but if he is going to be able to return before the end of the season is unsure."

Those comments leave the door open for Schär to miss the remainder of the Premier League campaign entirely—meaning he may never pull on the black and white stripes again. All signs point toward an exit as a free agent in July, with reports suggesting Newcastle are looking to lower the average age of their squad.

Since Howe took charge in 2021, Schär has been one of the most consistent presences in the lineup. His absence has been felt during a defensive slump this season, though it would be unfair to pin the team's struggles solely on the veteran's shoulders.

For now, the uncertainty continues. Whether Schär returns to fitness in time to say a proper goodbye—or if his Newcastle chapter has already closed—remains one of the biggest questions hanging over the club's summer plans.