Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez could have his captain back for Everton’s visit.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez must decide whether to gamble on the fitness of skipper Jamaal Lascelles for tonight’s Premier League visit of Everton.
The 24-year-old centre-back has not played since November 4 because of an ankle injury, but was on the bench for Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Leicester City at St James’ Park.
Benitez will be desperate to get Lascelles back in his team as Newcastle’s defence has begun to leak goals in his absence, during which the club have slipped to 16th in the table.
The Magpies have conceded more than twice as many goals (17) since Lascelles’ second-half withdrawal in the 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth than they did in the 10 previous league matches he started this season (8).
It is not only their captain’s defensive abilities that Newcastle have missed during a seven-game winless run, but also his leadership qualities, as Benitez told The Chronicle.
Ahead of the Everton match, the Spaniard told reporters: “He [Lascelles] was on the bench and nearly there in terms of his fitness. Now he is a little bit better so we will decide.
“When something is wrong, it is always good to have players with personality and character although I haven’t decided on the team yet.”
Newcastle hold the record for the most points dropped from winning positions in the Premier League this season with 11 – seven of which have come since Lascelles’ injury.
It would be a huge boost to the Toon Army to see their captain back in the team against the Toffees.
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