Sport

Breaking News: Newcastle United star ruled out until ‘end of the season’

Published

7 hours ago

February 25, 2025

KELVIN

With Lloyd Kelly joining Juventus during the winter transfer window, Newcastle have just Fabian Schar and Dan Burn as their only natural and available centre-backs. Although Botman is understood to be close to returning, Lascelles is at risk of not featuring again this season due to his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Jamaal Lascelles sustained an ACL injury during a 4-3 win against West Ham United at St James’ Park in March. 11 months later, he is back on the grass, but he is still months, not weeks, away from a full recovery after suffering multiple setbacks.

Newcastle captain Lascelles out for nine months after rupturing ACL - Vanguard News

As a result, Lascelles is facing over a year on the sidelines in total and will miss the upcoming Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium as a result. In Lascelles’ absence, Bruno Guimaraes has taken the captain’s armband this season.

Providing an update on Lascelles’ recovery, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “Yeah, Jamal’s continuing to work. He works extraordinarily long hours to try and get himself fit.

“I think he was here until five o’clock again [last Thursday]. Dedicated, as you’ve seen a player try to return from injury.

“He’s had various problems and little setbacks, nothing major during his recovery, but just little moments that have ended up knocking his recovery back. So he’s been on the grass. He’s been training individually with physios.

“He hasn’t got beyond that stage yet, but I think he’s in a pretty good place. We’re probably looking towards the end of the season as a return date for him.”

Lascelles suffered his ACL injury around the same time as Sven Botman last March. Botman returned to action around the turn of the year but has since picked up a minor knee injury.

Although it is hoped Lascelles will return to action before the conclusion of the season, his significant injury and contract circumstances suggest he may have already played his final game for Newcastle. The defender was out of contract with Newcastle in the summer and has yet to negotiate a new deal.

Newcastle recently signed Martin Dubravka and Emil Krafth to new contracts, leaving Lascelles as one of six first-team players whose contracts are set to expire on June 30. Fabian Schar, Callum Wilson, and Jamal Lewis Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy are the remaining players who are currently out of contract.

Jamaal Lascelles’ important role at Newcastle United over the years

Jamaal Lascelles has made 251 appearances for Newcastle United over the last 10 seasons, the majority of which as club captain. No player in the current squad has played more times for the club. During Botman’s absence last season, Lascelles impressed in big wins against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, particularly at St James’ Park.

Howe said about Lascelles’ performances last season: “I think Jamaal has done really, really well. His game has come on in lots of different ways.

“Firstly I think defensively, aerially he’s always been really strong. I think his defensive understanding of what we want him to do has been very good from day one. His use of the ball has improved and he looks really comfortable in the team.”