Garth Crooks has named Newcastle star Jamaal Lascelles in his BBC Sport Team of the Week for his performance against Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old scored a late equaliser during the 1-1 draw to hand the Magpies a well-deserved point.
Lascelles now looks to be over his injury problems at the captain looks set to be a big player for Steve Bruce between now and the end of the season.
His late goal at the weekend keeps Newcastle alive in the race to avoid relegation.
This weekend’s game with Brighton looks like a big one though and the Magpies are in desperate need of three points.
It’s now five games without a win for Newcastle and they have to start winning games again.
Crooks was impressed with Lascelles and named him in his Team of the Week.
He said on BBC Sport: “This was a game where Newcastle had most of the play but couldn’t finish. In the end it took the captain, Jamaal Lascelles to produce a brilliant header to provide Newcastle and Steve Bruce with a reprieve.
“The Magpies are in a relegation battle and the manager is fighting to retain his job. If they want to survive they have to get Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron all fit and back on the pitch pronto.”
Perilous
Newcastle are just two points clear of the relegation zone, having played a game less than Fulham.
This weekend’s game with Brighton looks absolutely massive and defeat could be devastating.
Lascelles is very much an integral part of Newcastle’s team and he must lead by example in the coming weeks.
He’s made 185 appearances for the club and Bruce will welcome his captain staying fit.
Newcastle would welcome some of their injured players back but that might be the case until after the international break.
Losing to Brighton would ensure a long two-week break for the Magpies and this weekend’s clash is arguably Newcastle’s biggest for quite some time.
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