Ex-Liverpool defender Phil Babb has backed Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles to reclaim a regular place at St James’ Park.
Lascelles has fallen down the pecking order since Eddie Howe took over in November 2021 and has seen his playing opportunities restricted further by the arrivals of Dan Burn and Sven Botman.
The 28-year-old played on with a broken nose and scored the equaliser as Newcastle came from behind at Tranmere Rovers to progress to the next round of the Carabao Cup.
Eddie Howe took the decision to withdraw Lascelles from the action in the 70th minute for his own protection. Babb is confident that Lascelles’ diehard character will be crucial in his quest to regain his place in Newcastle’s side.
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Babb told Sky Sports News: “Eddie has looked at him and maybe he’s picked up little niggles in pre-season but he’s a big character in the dressing room. We know his strengths, he’s an aerial threat and he’s got the heart of a lion.
“And you think about Newcastle over the years, he’s been one of the stalwarts and a big leader on the pitch. Can he get his way back into the team? Yes of course he can.
“He’s got the determination. That performance last night, even though it was against Tranmere, will certainly give the manager a selection headache going forward into the weekend.”
Lascelles is yet to feature in the Premier League for the Magpies this season due to the strong competition for places at the club. With Newcastle's summer transfer spree set to continue, Babb believes that Howe is assembling a squad which is capable of competing on all fronts.
“It’s definitely one competition [Carabao Cup] that they will want to go deep in,” Babb declared. “You can see the sort of squad that he [Howe] is trying to assemble to try and bring back some silverware, some honours back to the club.
“Certainly, I wouldn’t say prioritise, they want a strong Premier League season for sure with the money that they’re spending. But it will be on his list of priorities, as will the FA Cup, they need to get back on that winning mentality and to win trophies. You’ve got to target the domestic cups.”
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