Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles says he "completely understands" his first-team omission after making just one Premier League start this season.
Lascelles has had to be content with substitute roles and League Cup action but he stepped up to the plate against Crystal Palace on a night in which he enjoyed over 100 touches, made 111 passes and won five of his aerial duels. The long serving captain has seen it all on Tyneside in his eight years of service from dressing room bust-ups, player revolts and the revolving managerial door at Benton.
But he has faith in himself and the Eddie Howe process that he will be a big part of things still this season. After being linked with a £10million January exit, Lascelles poured cold water on such speculation by indicating he is enjoying life at St James' Park more than most years.
