Jamaal Lascelles given predicted Newcastle United return date as contract nears expiry

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Jamaal Lascelles has not appeared for Newcastle United in almost a year.

The defender has been nursing an ACL injury since March and has yet to return to full first-team training.

Lascelles was a regular appearance maker in Eddie Howe’s side during the 2023/24 season. The 31-year-old played 26 games in all competitions, including five of the Magpies UEFA Champions League matches.

A kicker for Lascelles is that he is one of several players will be out of contract in the summer. His injury has meant he has had the chance to prove to Howe that he deserves to be given a new deal.

Like Lascelles, Fabian Schar is also out of contract in the summer. However, impressive performances for the Magpies this season have made Howe eager to extend Schar’s contract.

Newcastle’s injury list is nothing like it was last season. Only a few lingering problems with players should be sorted out soon. Howe recently confirmed Lascelles’ return would be delayed but did not comment on how long it would be.

Now, a new report has suggested exactly when Newcastle fans should expect the defender back.

Lascelles set for March Newcastle United return

What Lascelles will be frustrated by is how much quicker Sven Botman recovered from the same injury. Botman returned in Newcastle’s win against Tottenham in January following a 10-month absence.

Lascelles suffered his ACL injury around two weeks after Botman, but according to The Athletic, Lascelles will not be available for Newcastle until March.

The report states that Botman’s recovery was much more straightforward than Lascelles’. The 31-year-old has still put the time and effort into his recovery.

Even if Lascelles returns in March, he has slipped down the pecking order. Schar’s performances this season have made it difficult for Howe to drop him. Botman’s return has also seen him deployed as a right-sided centre-back where he has performed well. There is a chance he may not play for Newcastle again.

Following Paul Dummett’s departure, Lascelles became Newcastle’s longest-serving player. The defender joined the Magpies in 2014 and has made 251 appearances in all competitions, including 55 under Howe.

Lascelles’ new contract could depend on Europe

Newcastle are pushing for a return to European competition. The Magpies narrowly missed out on playing in the Europa Conference League this season as a result of Manchester United’s FA Cup win.

Before Dummett and Matt Ritchie were released by Newcastle in the summer. Early signs indicated that the pair were set for a new contract due to their homegrown status.

After Newcastle missed out on Europe, they were released. Like the pair, Lascelles’ future could be dependent on whether Newcastle qualify to play in Europe next season.

As it stands, the Magpies are in a position where they could achieve qualification via the Premier League. Newcastle also have the advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final. Clubs that win the competition are automatically entered into the Europa League.