There are suggestions ‘huge’ Newcastle United player is now out for the rest of the season

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Newcastle United continue to struggle with injury problems as they reach the back end of the season.

The final weeks of the season are set to be full of intensity, pressure and determination for Eddie Howe’s side, who know exactly what they want at the end of it.

Champions League football is the aim for Newcastle United this season, a goal that is still very achievable with the Magpies currently in sixth place with a game in hand over Manchester City and Chelsea.

Newcastle will play Chelsea in May, with early signs suggesting that it will be crucial in the race for the top four.

In the meantime, Newcastle are preparing to face Brentford at St James’ Park on Wednesday in their first game since winning the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium.

Howe had to do it with some of his key players missing. Lewis Hall is out for the season while fellow defender Sven Botman had a knee operation, which will keep him out until May at the earliest.

Anthony Gordon was suspended for the final but picked up a hip injury on England duty. Howe has confirmed Gordon avoided serious injury, with the winger just suffering from severe bruising.

Howe has also now confirmed that another player may not be seen again this season.

• READ MORE – Eddie Howe confirms when Anthony Gordon will be back in Newcastle United training after ‘nasty’ injury

Eddie Howe provides Jamaal Lascelles injury update

It has now been over a year since Newcastle fans last saw Jamaal Lascelles on the pitch after he suffered an ACL injury against West Ham in March 2024.

Howe thought Lascelles would be back ‘soon‘, but his injury has taken longer than expected to heal – only now has he returned to light training.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Howe was asked whether fans will see Lascelles again before the end of the season.

“I don’t know if we will see Jamaal again (this season) and I don’t want to set a target or time,” he said.

“He has started very light training with the squad.

“But on the drills that are not competitive he has joined in. He has looked very good, it is small steps for him.

“We are hoping to get him to join in and competing before the end of the season whether that ties in with the team and whether he gets there in time for competitive action we will see. He is a huge leader and very popular within the group.

“He has a big presence and I was delighted he got to lift the cup with the other guys. He deserved that moment for the length of time he has been here and the service he has given.”

• READ MORE – Richard Keys furious at who was ‘front and centre’ of Newcastle United’s trophy celebrations

Jamaal Lascelles could leave Newcastle United at the end of the season

Lascelles has had a very tough time this season while he continues his recovery. There is no doubt he would have wanted to be part of the matchday squad in the Carabao Cup final.

However, Lascelles lifted the trophy alongside Newcastle’s captains Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier – a move praised by co-owner Jamie Reuben on social media.

Lascelles is one of several players whose contracts are up at the end of the season, with the likes of Callum Wilson fighting for a new deal.

Recent words from Chris Waugh suggested that Lascelles will leave Newcastle this summer on a free contract, having not been able to fight for his place.

With Newcastle eager to sign a centre-back in the summer transfer window, it leaves Lascelles with almost no choice but to move elsewhere once he recovers from his nasty injury.