There was a chance that Florian Lejeune’s season was over before it began.
The Newcastle defender picked up a severe knee injury during pre-season, and he hasn’t been seen since.
However, Rafa Benitez probably wishes he could still call upon Lejeune, who did so well last season.
Despite a shaky start in black and white, the Frenchman eventually formed a brilliant partnership with Jamaal Lascelles.
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It was initially believed that Lejeune would be out for the entire season, but his progress means he could be back in early 2019, which is a massive boost.
And having returned to Tyneside to train, the 27-year-old has a nice new scar to show off.
Lejeune shows off his battle scars in training
Pictured by Newcastle’s official photographer, Lejeune was working on an exercise bike alongside Mo Diame. However, there was something very different about the 2017 signing.
Just beneath Lejeune’s right knee, there is now a nasty scar where the doctors operated on his injury.
While he has done so well to actually have a chance at playing this season, the scar shows just how bad his injury actually was.
It might take him a bit of time to get back into the swing of things after such a lengthy lay off, but his return will be a welcome one.