Rare Jamaal Lascelles update arrives as former captain faces uncertain 2025
After all the talk around Sven Botman's comeback from a serious ACL injury, we've heard very little about Jamaal Lascelles over the past few years.
Like Botman, our former captain also went under the knife earlier this year after suffering the same injury in March - with Eddie Howe previously highlighting the defender’s importance to the squad’s overall dynamic despite his absence.
The manager has again heaped praise on Lascelles during a recent press conference and issued an update on the 31-year-old's return to action.
Howe issues Lascelles update
Speaking to the media, Howe didn’t give an exact date on the former Nottingham Forest man’s return - but said Lascelles is doing everything in his power to make it happen as promptly as possible.
"He is very focused. We always said he was a bit behind Sven. Sven had no complications in his rehab and as much as they are always difficult injuries, the long-term knee injuries are very difficult. You always have your ups and downs.
"Sven was pretty standard, Jamaal has had, not what I'd call setbacks, but a couple of moments where his knee has not felt as strong. He will just take a little bit longer than Sven did. But he's on track and he is doing well.
"I have to say his dedication is there. Sometimes he has been here (at the training ground) until 5pm/6pm at night. I have got to say that is on a regular basis. That is the dedication he is giving to his comeback and I am sure he will reap the rewards for that."
Lascelles dedication and professionalism could never be questioned so it serves as no surprise he is again proving himself to be a role model in and around the squad, hopefully offering good guidance to Lewis Miley during their concurrent spell in the treatment room.
Whether that leads to a run in the first team when Lascelles comes back remains to be seen, but no doubt the centre back will be looking to get minutes into his legs as soon as possible.
Lascelles facing uncertain future
It appears Lascelles will be back in action soon, and it may well be for his swansong in a Newcastle shirt as his contract draws to a close in the summer.
A decade after his arrival from Forest, the defender has been a good servant to the club and always cut a mature figure - even when he lost his captaincy to Bruno, Lascelles hasn’t been one to cause a fuss.
It feels quite likely that he will be allowed to leave in the summer as, although Howe admires Lascelles presence and impact on the squad, he was already behind Botman, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn in the pecking order before Lloyd Kelly arrived last year.
Yes, we need to become better sellers if we are to get out of PSR mess, but it’s incredibly unlikely we receive a fee for Lascelles next month and I imagine we will clear him from the wage bill next summer to at least free up funds in that regard.
