Nobby Solano has urged Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles to follow Bruno Guimaraes’ example at St. James’ Park.
The defender has mostly found himself out of the starting XI in recent weeks.
Since being unavailable for selection through illness for the Aston Villa game, Lascelles has played just two games for the Magpies.
He came on as a substitute in the win over Brentford. And he started in a back three in the loss to Chelsea.
Right now, Eddie Howe is seemingly more partial to a Dan Burn-Fabian Schar partnership.
Burn has been very impressive since his arrival in January, and his performance levels are being matched by his Swiss teammate.
So it seems Lascelles is having to get comfortable on the bench.
But Solano has urged the 28-year-old to look at new signing Bruno, and follow his example of breaking into the team.
He told the Chronicle: “The only one thing that Eddie Howe will want is for his players to be together. That is how you are successful.
“Without this, you can’t get results. “Look at somebody like Jamaal Lascelles, now he is not in the squad and he’s the captain. He needs to look at Bruno who had to wait for his chance and then when he got it he came in and done well.
“Eddie has to make sure the players want to be at the club and are ready to give 100%. It is a positive for Eddie really to have so many players who have a point to prove.”
Lascelles has to take his chance if it comes
Solano is absolutely right. And Bruno is a really good example.
Fabian Schar had to pull out of the Switzerland squad. And it could be that Lascelles will now get a chance to start alongside Dan Burn against Tottenham Hotspur.
If that is to be the case, then he simply must deliver.
It will be no easy task against the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, both of whom are in great form at the moment.
But a strong showing could see him keep his place like Bruno has, and become a regular again.
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