Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar admits he can't explain why he was frozen out by former manager Steve Bruce.

The Switzerland international was dropped in August and never found his way back into Bruce's starting XI.

Now with Eddie Howe at the helm, Schar is hoping for more opportunities at St. James' Park.

Asked about his omission from Bruce's starting line-up, Schar told the club's website: "That's a difficult question to be fair.

"I always try to be there in training and do my best, and I think I did it in training.

"I know what quality I have.

"I have shown them enough in Newcastle.

"I played for Switzerland and have 70 caps.

"It's difficult, you try to show the manager you want to be in the team when the team is not doing too good, we have a difficult start.

"Sometimes I was surprised not to be in the first 11.

"That was a difficult time, this is a new chapter, and I'm really looking forward to it."