Report: Newcastle boss considering new role for Fabian Schar

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Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce could be ready to deploy Fabian Schar as a defensive midfielder against Leicester this weekend, according to the Daily Star.

Bruce is considering shaking up his team and going back to basics after just one Premier League win all season.

The boss is considering taking Miguel Almiron out of the firing line. The £21 million (Daily Star) man is struggling with a confidence crisis and Bruce could opt to add some steel to his midfield.

Jonjo Shelvey was poor against Brighton, whilst Sean Longstaff might not recover from an ankle injury in time to play.

Schar has played every game for the Magpies this season and the central defender could be used in a holding midfield role, with Federico Fernandez coming into the back four.

The 27-year-old has 48-caps for Switzerland and playing in midfield wouldn’t really come naturally to the central defender.

He does have exceptional ball-playing qualities and his energy does suggest that he has the attributes to play in such a position.

TBR Verdict – Risky business for Bruce to be tinkering already

With Newcastle supporters extremely cynical towards the appointment of Bruce during the summer, the boss needs to make sure he doesn’t offer them some easy ammunition.

Schar is probably Newcastle’s best central defender and to play him as a square peg in a round hold would represent a risk.

Whilst he possesses some qualities that make him a likely hit in such a position, Bruce should look at more natural options to plug his hole in midfield.