Newcastle United currently have a glut of injuries so deep Steve Bruce could field an injured eleven and still have two players left on the substitutes bench. The shortage of available first-team options has seen the Magpies plummet down the table to 13th spot, losing four of their previous five Premier League fixtures. However, fortunately for Bruce, several players are set to return to action this weekend, and most important of all is captain Jamaal Lascelles.
The 26-year-old centre back has been injured since the 14th of November after picking up a knee injury in the win over A.F.C Bournemouth. The Englishman has missed ten matches during the festive period, of which the Magpies have lost five without their defensive leader. With so many other centre backs out of action, it is imperative he gets back to match fitness as quickly as possible, which could start at the weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Lascelles, valued at £16.2m (Transfermarkt), has not been enjoying his best season on the pitch with regards to the metrics he is posting. Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune have both recorded more interceptions and tackles per match, but the captain’s fighting spirit and commitment are needed to address the slide Newcastle currently find themselves in. Furthermore, with the Magpies incredibly goal-shy this season, as the third-lowest scorers in the division on 20, Lascelles’ aerial presence from set-pieces will provide an extra dimension to concern opposition.
With Newcastle United conceding 16 goals in his ten-game absence, Lascelles will also have his work cut out at the back working alongside a makeshift defence. His return is incredibly timely for Bruce whose next three Premier League matches come against Wolves, Chelsea and Everton, and the prospect of the Magpies turning their fortunes around is significantly increased with their captain back on the pitch.
It is not clear if Newcastle will have any funds to spend in January, but the return of Lascelles will feel like a coup in the transfer market. The situation he finds the club in upon his return is an entirely different proposition to when he left, but there is plenty of time to turn it around.
