Florian Lejeune will struggle to get back into Newcastle’s starting XI

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You just can’t keep Florian Lejeune down.

The Frenchman suffered two serious knee injuries in the space of seven months. The first came in the summer of 2018 in pre-season, but by the end of the year he was back and in the Newcastle starting XI.

Come April 2019, he was on a stretcher once again. After an innocuous collision with Andros Townsend, the defender’s season was over. This time it was the opposite knee.

But not long after surgery, Lejeune was pictured on his feet. His ability to recover from serious injury is sensational. And it might not be too long before we see him back on the pitch.

Steve Bruce told the Shields Gazette: “We’re hoping after the international break he’s back on the grass.

“That would be four-and-a-half month, which is remarkable. His knee looks good. He’s out there training.”

But while Lejeune’s speed of recovery is sensational, he might be wondering to himself ‘how on earth am I going to get back in this team?’

Last season, Lejeune’s return saw him line up alongside Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles. The trio complemented each other brilliantly, each bringing something different to the party.

But in Lejeune’s absence, Paul Dummett has massively stepped up. The local lad has been rock solid as left centre-back, showing that he is a lot more comfortable there than at left-back.

So what does this mean for Lejeune? He’s obviously a lot better in possession than Dummett, but the Wales international has done nothing to suggest he shouldn’t be a starter.

Lascelles is the captain; he’s not going to be dropped.

And the whole system pretty much revolves around Schar. He’s the best on the ball, but needs to play in a three as he can get caught out in two.

So Lejeune might have to wait patiently to get back in the side. When an opportunity comes his way, he’s got the class to take it. The big question is how long will he have to wait?