Jermaine Jenas claims Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles has been sensational in the last two games

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Newcastle United beat Stoke City 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Pundit Jermaine Jenas has told BT Sport that he thinks Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles has been ‘sensational’ in the last two games.

The Magpies claimed a 2-1 win over Stoke City on Saturday afternoon, with Lascelles heading home the winner from Matt Ritchie’s corner, after Xherdan Shaqiri had cancelled out Christian Atsu’s opener.

Saturday’s win takes Newcastle up into fourth in the Premier League table, and whilst Rafael Benitez almost certainly have designs on a Champions League finish, he is turning the club’s season around.

After defeats to Tottenham and Huddersfield to open the season, Newcastle have now won their last three games, beating West Ham, Swansea and now Stoke in a fine run of form.

Having headed the winner at Swansea, Lascelles made it two goals in two weeks with another winning strike, as his importance to the Newcastle side continues to grow and grow.

The centre back, signed from Nottingham Forest in 2014 before linking up with Newcastle following year, has emerged as a real leader for Newcastle over the last 18 months, and is currently serving as Benitez’s captain.

Lascelles, 23, has starred for Newcastle this season, not only with his goalscoring threat but also his defensive work, with his remarkable goal-line clearance against Swansea a major factor in their win.

Now, former Forest youngster and Newcastle ace Jermaine Jenas has told BT Sport that he thinks Lascelles as the ‘right mentalty’ Newcastle need, adding that his last two performance have been ‘sensational’ as he continues to lead by example.

“I know Jamaal from his time at Forest, and he was hungry then, he had the right appetite, he’s got the right mentality for the job at hand,” said Jenas. “I felt that last year, in winning the league, he was instrumental, and I think he’s one of those players that the rest of the team look up to, and know they can lean on him in times of need.”

“His last two performances have just been sensational, not only from a defensive point of view, but to get two winners from centre half? You don’t lead by example any more than that, so he’s had a really good couple of games, and things are looking good for Newcastle,” he added.