Eddie Howe is right to stand by Jamaal Lascelles as Newcastle United captain - despite the defender falling down the pecking order. That is the view of Lee Clark, who feels the Magpies head coach would risk unnecessarily disrupting the dressing room by replacing the long-serving skipper.
Lascelles was first named Newcastle captain by Rafa Benitez ahead of the 2016/17 season, and has held on to the responsibility since United's top-flight return. However, the 28-year-old has seen his playing time reduced in recent months following the arrivals of Sven Botman and Dan Burn.
Howe decided against replacing the centre-back as skipper with summer, with Kieran Trippier wearing the armband in both Premier League fixtures so far. The topic of Lascelles retaining the captaincy was raised by Gabby Agbonlahor during a talkSPORT discussion on Tyrone Mings' future at Aston Villa.
