Achraf Lazaar has one last chance of finally making his Premier League bow for Newcastle United with Rafa Benitez seemingly growing desperate.
Achraf Lazaar’s Newcastle United career might not be over after all.
After a dreadful loan spell at Benevento in Serie A last season, when Lazaar started just six games as his side were relegated, the Morocco international was expected to leave St James’ Park on a permanent basis this summer.
But according to The Chronicle, the 26-year-old was forced to stay after Genoa failed with a last-minute bid in August.
And it seems that Lazaar could now be handed one last chance to kick-start his Newcastle career. The Magpies’ lack of left-backs has been a problem for some time, particularly with Paul Dummett suffering a hamstring injury, Jesus Gamez gone and Javi Manquillo preferring to play on the right.
So the door might have opened for Lazaar. According to The Chronicle, the former Palermo player will make his return for Newcastle in the U23 clash against Fulham on Monday night.
And he has even been handed a number by manager Rafa Benitez, although the 57 shirt is hardly one usually worn by a crucial first-team player.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Lazaar will pay for Newcastle’s first-team again. Since his £2.3 million move to Tyneside in 2016, the left-back has failed to make a single league start for the club.
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