Fabian Schar has taken a significant step closer to a return to Newcastle's first team after lining-up for the Magpies' under-23s on Monday.

Schar was included in the starting XI for the Premier League 2 Division 2 clash against Crystal Palace, with Christian Atsu also featuring.

Schar defies initial injury predictions

The 29-year-old was initially ruled out for 'several months' after sustaining a torn knee ligament in the 3-2 win over Southampton in February.

A Sky Sports report suggested at the time that he may have played his last game for the club, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. Indeed, the Switzerland international said at the time that his focus was on getting fit for the European Championships.

However, there was an optimistic update earlier this month, with Schar revealing that he had a chance of featuring at the back end of the season and would 'do everything' to be fit in time for the end of Newcastle's campaign.

Those hopes may well be realised, barring any setbacks, as there are still five games of the season remaining.

Newcastle have taken giant strides towards safety in Schar's absence, with a run of eight points from a possible 12 opening up a nine-point gap to the drop zone.

Transfer Tavern verdict

After hosting Arsenal this weekend, Newcastle face daunting assignments against Leicester City and Manchester City, but they then finish the season against already-relegated Sheffield United and a Fulham side who could also be consigned to the Championship by the time of their final-day clash on 23 May.

Those final two fixtures could be ideal matches in which to ease Schar back into the first team, with the potential for nothing other than pride at stake by that time. Perhaps we haven't yet seen the last of him in a Magpies shirt, despite previous reports to the contrary.

In other news, Newcastle fans have been offered a potential timeline for the club's takeover.