Newcastle United fans have been flooding our "Ask about Newcastle" inbox with questions about Fabian Schär's future—and we've got the latest updates on both his injury comeback and contract situation.

The Swiss defender has been sidelined since January after suffering an ankle injury during Newcastle's thrilling 4-3 victory over Leeds United. What initially seemed like a straightforward recovery took a turn when a subsequent foot infection required minor surgery, keeping him out of action for months. However, there's finally some good news on the horizon: Newcastle hope to have Schär back on the pitch before the season ends.

With the Magpies facing West Ham next week and a final-day trip to Fulham, there's a real possibility Schär could feature in one or both of those matches. His return can't come soon enough. Since the 34-year-old was sidelined, Newcastle's defense has looked increasingly vulnerable, conceding nearly two goals per game on average. That's a stat that speaks volumes about his influence at the heart of the backline.

Beyond his defensive reliability, Schär brings exceptional vision and composure on the ball—qualities that have made him an indispensable figure under Eddie Howe. In fact, only Dan Burn and Bruno Guimarães have played more games for Newcastle since Howe took charge in 2021. That kind of consistency is rare, and his absence has been keenly felt.

But here's where things get complicated. Schär's current contract expires this summer, and despite his importance, Howe has been non-committal about a new deal. "A decision has not yet been made," the head coach said last week, leaving fans guessing. With Newcastle reportedly looking to lower the squad's average age this summer, the veteran defender's future is looking increasingly uncertain as the season winds down.

For now, all eyes are on Schär's recovery and whether he can make a meaningful contribution before the final whistle. Whether that leads to a contract extension or a farewell remains one of the biggest questions hanging over St. James' Park.