Schar produced an impressive defensive display as the Magpies earned a point at the Amex Stadium, and fired in the free-kick that led to the award of the late penalty that was successfully converted by Alexander Isak.
However, the Swiss centre-half appeared to be moving awkwardly before he was substituted in stoppage time along with fellow defender Kieran Trippier.
Howe is confident that Trippier has not suffered any significant injury damage, but admits that Schar will have to be assessed in the next 24 hours ahead of Newcastle’s final three games of the season.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure what’s happened with Fabby,” admitted Howe, whose side sit in fourth position ahead of their final three matches, which will see a trip to Arsenal sandwiched by home games against Chelsea and Everton.
“Fabby was limping. I don’t know whether that was cramp or a muscle injury, so we’ll have to check. I’m pretty sure that with Kieran, it was just cramp.”
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Howe was quick to praise Isak’s composure, with the striker shrugging off the potentially-unsettling impact of two earlier penalty awards being overturned in order to successfully convert from the spot.
Isak scored his 23rd league goal of the season as he stroked the ball to Bart Verbruggen’s right, a tally that has only been bettered by Liverpool’s Mo Salah this term.
“I think that’s what Alex would pride himself on,” said Howe. “He’s got that ruthless mentality to scoring goals, and that’s where you really lean on those type of players.
“Callum’s the same – to have the coolness of mind to take a step back and say, ‘Right, this is what I need to do’ and then deliver it for the team.
“It was a brilliant penalty, and a big moment because we needed something from the game. I thought Alex’s general performance was good in that second half.”
