Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar has opened up about a harrowing experience that saw him caught in the middle of a major international conflict. The Swiss centre-back, who is a vital part of Eddie Howe’s defensive line at St James' Park, found himself in a life-threatening situation while attempting to recover from a long-term injury. What was supposed to be a standard rehabilitation trip quickly spiralled into a nightmare as regional tensions escalated into a full-scale warzone.

Fabian Schar has emphasised the importance of ending Newcastle's long trophy drought with a win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.