Newcastle United will be unable to recall Florian Lejeune from his loan spell with Deportivo Alaves, after the clause expired.
The French central defender will complete the 2020/21 season with the Spanish club as was originally planned, following some talk he could be brought back to St. James’ Park.
Fans had been wondering whether Steve Bruce might spring into action over Lejeune following the injury blow involving Fabian Schar.
The Switzerland international has suffered knee ligament and will miss several months.
The setback for Schar comes at the worst possible time for Bruce, who is currently contending without Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez.
After Schar went off against Southampton, the Magpies were forced to finish the game with Isaac Hayden and Paul Dummett at centre-half.
If Newcastle had any hopes of bringing Lejeune back to ease their current defensive crisis, it turns out they are unable.
A spokesman for Alaves told The Chronicle: “There was a clause in his contract to go back to Newcastle during the winter window, but there is no option anymore.”
Lejeune’s stint in Spain has been going well, with the 29-year-old making 21 appearances for the club so far.
Lejeune needs full season anyway
Some will be frustrated that the club didn’t exercise their recall option over Lejeune.
The Magpies could obviously do with him right about now, but it is understandable why he wasn’t brought back.
£38,000-a-week star Lejeune (Spotrac) has had rotten luck with injuries since joining the club.
It’s important for him to keep the momentum going with Alaves, where he is a regular starter.
Hopefully, Clark and Fernandez will return soon, and Hayden has shown that he can fill in at the back if needed.
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