As the season comes to a close, injuries could prove costly for Newcastle United.
Sean Longstaff’s recent absence has been a blow and Eddie Howe will be hoping the midfielder is back in action as quickly as possible for the Champions League run-in.
Still, at this stage of the campaign and with so much to play for, the Newcastle manager could obviously do with having as many options as possible.
Even the players who haven’t played huge roles this season will be needed as the club battle to get over the line in the race for the top four.
Sadly, however, another blow has emerged.
Jamaal Lascelles confirms he will not play again this season
Club captain Jamaal Lascelles has confirmed he will not play again this season.
The 29-year-old might have only started twice this season given the imperious partnership between Fabian Schar and Sven Botman but has largely operated as the first-choice back-up.
Now, any injuries to the two starters would be even worse for the squad. While even the most ardent Lascelles fan would struggle to suggest he is on the level of either Schar or Botman, the options behind him hardly look great.
“Unfortunately, since I last wrote for the programme, I’ve picked up a calf problem which will probably see me out for five or six weeks,” said Lascelles (via The Chronicle).
Will Lascelles ever play for Newcastle again?
That seems doubtful.
It would take a remarkable drop off in form to see Schar or Botman drop out of the starting lineup next season and it would hardly be a surprise to see Newcastle buy another central defender this summer.
Lascelles was a huge part of the rebuild under Rafa Benitez and deserves respect for a solid Newcastle United career.
This, however, might be the end of the road.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
