Fabian Schar grabs a quality assist on Sunday to go with his two goals in five days

Fabian Schar made headlines eight days ago when making an ambitious run into the box from his defensive position and saving Newcastle from defeat, a left foot volley earning a 1-1 draw against Watford.

Then on Thursday he stepped it up another level.

The Newcastle defender brilliantly finishing an excellent passive move by Switzerland, planting the ball into the bottom corner from the edge  of the box and earning the Swiss a draw in Dublin, a draw in a European Championships qualifier.

After two goals five days apart, on Sunday Fabian Schar has turned provider.

The classy defender popping up on the left wing and his teasing cross finished by Mehmedi, the second goal just before half-time as Switzerland went on to beat Gibraltar 4-0.

(Go to 4.08 on video below to watch Schar’s cross/assist)

The Swiss defender playing the full 90 minutes and he will now be returning to Tyneside ahead of Saturday’s match at Anfield.

Denmark could only draw 0-0 with Georgia today, which was great news for Switzerland.

It means Fabian Schar and his international teammates are only one point behind second placed Denmark and three behind Ireland at the top. However, with a better goal difference, Switzerland will go top of European Championship qualification Group D if they win their game in hand on the other four teams in the group.

Newcastle United players on international duty:

Wednesday 4 September

Liberia 3 Sierra Leone 1 – World Cup Qualifier First round First leg(Mo Sangare was a second half sub and scored the vital second goal, a penalty, to put Liberia 2-1 up in the 81st minute)

Thursday 5 September

Japan 2 Paraguay 0 – Friendly (Miguel Almiron played the full 90 minutes)

Faroes 0 Sweden 4 – Euro Qualifier (Emil Krafth came on at half-time))

Republic of Ireland 1 Switzerland 1 – Euro Qualifier (Fabian Schar scored a class 74th minute goal to put his side in the lead)

Friday 6 September

Slovakia 0 Croatia 4 – Euro Qualifier (Martin Dubravka played the full 90 minutes))

Sunday 8 September

Sweden v Norway – Euro Qualifier (Emil Krafth)

Switzerland 4 Gibraltar 0 – Euro Qualifier (Fabian Schar plays full 90 minutes and gets an assist after his excellent cross is converted  to make it 2-0)

Sierra Leone v Liberia – World Cup Qualifier First Round Second leg (Mo Sangare)

Monday 9 September

Hungary v Slovakia Euro Qualifier (Martin Dubravka)

Tuesday 10 September

Jordan v Paraguay – Friendly (Miguel Almiron)