Newcastle have been vulnerable defensively in recent games.
It has been a difficult time for Newcastle United of late, with the club having fell to their fourth consecutive Premier League defeat on Saturday as they were beaten 3-0 at home to Watford.
Newcastle’s defence is evidently a major issue at present, with the club having conceded four goals in their previous game as they lost away to Manchester United.
Captain and defensive linchpin Jamaal Lascelles has been absent for both of those fixtures due to an ankle injury and has certainly been missed by Rafael Benitez’s side.
Newcastle have still lost several games this season when Lascelles has been in the side but they have been especially vulnerable over the past couple of games and the 24-year-old’s return can’t come quickly enough.
Up next for Newcastle is a trip to face West Bromwich Albion, who managed to draw 1-1 with Tottenham at the weekend, while the Magpies will be especially determined to have Lascelles back available for their following game, which sees them face Chelsea away on Saturday.
The partnership of Ciaran Clark and Florian Lejeune showed some encouraging initial signs against Manchester United but subsequently crumbled under pressure and Lascelles’ authoritative presence at the heart of the defence has been sorely missed.
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