Newcastle United skipper Jamaal Lascelles has broken his silence after being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. The Magpies defender has a calf issue which will keep him sidelined for around six weeks after only a handful of appearances this term.
Lascelles played in the defeats at Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League but impressed with his displays after being replaced by Sven Botman and Fabian Schar in Eddie Howe's defensive pecking order. Fans also respected his commitment to the cause after picking up two yellow cards on separate occasions despite not being on the pitch.
"Unfortunately, since I last wrote for the programme, I've picked up a calf problem which will probably see me out for five or six weeks," said Lascelles in Sunday's matchday programme. "But I'll still be at every game, supporting the boys. It's a real shame, but I'm confident I'll have a speedy recovery.
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"I'm able to walk just fine. I'm doing the bikes at the moment, and I think I'll be able to ramp things up pretty quickly. I just have to keep a sense of perspective - it's part and parcel of the game. And, injury-wise, things haven't been too bad for me of late. I'll work to come back even fitter."
Lascelles' long-term future at Newcastle is up in the air after being linked with a move away from Tyneside last summer. A lack of minutes in the top flight have only added to the speculation he could soon leave.
Howe values his dressing room leaders, whether they are featuring regularly or not, and has repeatedly praised Lascelles' impact on the group away from the pitch. The former Nottingham Forest defender has been with Newcastle through some dark periods but is clearly relishing the new regime despite a lack of game time.
"It's huge. I have been in dressing rooms that have been toxic," Lascelles said earlier in the campaign. "I'd never do that I'd always get behind the lads that aren't playing and try to lead by example.
"If it's not on the pitch it will be in the dressing room. I just think we have got a really special team and everybody is on board. "I will support the lads as they'd support me."
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