Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is happy to be working with defender Fabian Schar.

The experienced Switzerland international has come in from the cold since Howe took over and the expiry of his current deal is now a talking point again within the fanbase.

When asked whether he would be keen on extending his stay on Tyneside Howe said: "Yeah, I think Fabian has been excellent.

"I have been an admirer of Fabian from afar for a long, long time.

"I think he's a fantastic footballer.

"He fits my mould as to what I want for a centre-back.

"He can handle the ball, he's very creative.

"He has also shown his defensive resilience and mentality to not want to concede.

"Fabian has defended really well and of course that is every defender's first port of call.

"I thought together with Jamaal Lascelles he was excellent."