‘Really enjoyed it’: Newcastle 29-year-old is so grateful for Eddie Howe’s recent tactical decision

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It has been a marvellous few weeks for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe, who has been without some of his key players.

The biggest miss has been Sven Botman, who has not featured since the Magpies’ 8-0 win over Sheffield United when he scored his first goal for the club.

Newcastle have played four games in three different competitions since then, and Botman has not played a single minute.

Instead, Howe has had to turn to club captain Jamaal Lascelles, who has played every single minute of the Magpies’ last four fixtures.

Not only that, but he has played very well. First he helped Newcastle beat Man City and advance to the next round of the Carabao Cup, then he played a key role in the Magpies recording a historic 4-1 win over PSG in the Champions League.

Lascelles has been exceptional, and it is even more impressive considering how little he has played over the past 12 months. Now the 29-year-old has spoke about what it has really been like being back in the starting XI.

Jamaal Lascelles has loved being back in the Newcastle team

Following Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with West Ham, Lascelles spoke to the Chronicle and reflected on returning to the starting lineup.

“I have really enjoyed it,” he said.

“I have not played for a while so it has been a test physically just because I’ve had four games in the space of three weeks. I had not played for so long. I’ve enjoyed it but will come back refreshed.”

Eddie Howe will soon have a decision to make

Eddie Howe was brave in putting Jamaal Lascelles back in the side following Botman’s injury. He easily could have turned to Matt Targett and asked Dan Burn to play centre-back.

But Howe showed faith in his captain, and that faith was repaid with some outstanding performances against top class opposition.

However, now the Newcastle boss has a big decision to make after the international break.

Botman is due to return from injury, and has been one of the Magpies’ best players this season. The Dutchman has been incredibly consistent at the back, and will be eyeing an immediate return to the starting XI.

However, Lascelles has given Howe no reason to remove him from the starting lineup. If anything, he has proved that he should be considered as a starter once again.

It means that Howe finds himself in an unenviable position, as he prepares to disappoint one of his first-team players when club football returns later this month.