Fabian Schar's future has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Newcastle’ form.
Newcastle United hope the defender will return to action before the end of the season as he steps up his recovery from injury.
Schar has not played since January after suffering an ankle injury in the 4-3 win over Leeds United and a subsequent foot infection, which required minor surgery.
It remains to be seen if he could make the squad for the visit of West Ham next week and/or the trip to Fulham on the final day.
Schar is out of contract in the summer, but head coach Eddie Howe insisted last week that a decision has not yet been made regarding his future.
It is clearly a big call.
Only Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes have played more games for Newcastle than Schar since Howe took charge in 2021, and his absence has been felt in recent months.
The 34-year-old brings so much to this side with his vision and composure on the ball, but he is also a dependable centre-back.
Since the Swiss was sidelined, Howe's leaky side have conceded an average of nearly two goals per game, which highlights his importance.
But Newcastle are preparing to lower the average age of the squad in the summer, and Howe was tellingly unable to offer a definitive answer on Schar's future.
Schar's situation appears increasingly uncertain as he enters the final weeks of his current deal.
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