Fabian Schar has opened up on the frustration of losing his regular starting spot at Newcastle United.
The Swiss international was one of the standout performers in his debut season on Tyneside under former boss Rafa Benitez.
However, the 28-year-old has been hampered in his second season at St James' Park with several injuries, and has been limited to 15 Premier League appearances so far.
Magpies' head coach Steve Bruce reverted to a four-man defence in United's final games before the coronavirus-enforced suspension, with Federico Fernandez often selected to partner captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Schar admits recent months at the club have not gone as he'd "imagined", and points to both factors behind his reduced playing time in the current campaign.
Speaking to Swiss title Blick, Schar said: "My problem this season was that I was injured again and again.
"I had an inner ligament injury in October. I have had the complaints for a long time, but I still played.
"In retrospect, I would have better said earlier that it was no longer possible and paused.
"I suffered a muscle injury in early January. After that it was difficult to get back into the team.
"We have six central defenders in the squad, now we play with a four-man defence. That means four are sitting on the bench.
"So I can already say: The last one or two months have certainly not been as I had imagined."
Schar remains in Newcastle as the uncertainty over the return of the Premier League remains.
The centre-back flew back from Switzerland with his girlfriend at the end of March, and admits the enforced break is inevitably impacting upon his match fitness.
He added: "I have a running program, and I do exercises in the garden.
"And I have an online coach who trains me on Facetime or Skype.
"That's why my endurance fitness is relatively good. But the exercise with the ball is missing."
