Lascelles has been sidelined since suffering a cruciate-ligament injury last spring, and while Sven Botman recovered from a similar problem in order to play earlier this term, his fellow centre-half suffered a more troublesome recovery.
A number of minor setbacks pushed back Lascelles’ potential return date, and while he has started to slowly step up his training schedule, Howe has conceded the 31-year-old could struggle to feature in the remaining ten games of the campaign.
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“I don’t know whether we’ll see Jamaal before the end of the season,” admitted the Magpies boss. “I don’t really want to set a target on his time to return. He’s started very light training with the squad, but that would be light, not necessarily in competitive drills.
“He’s joined in the drills that have been non-competitive, and he’s looked really good. It’s small steps for him. We’re hoping he can definitely be joining in and competing in training before the end of the season, but whether that ties in with the team and whether he gets there in time in terms of competitive action, let’s wait and see.”
While Lascelles has not kicked a ball this season, he has remained an influential figure within Newcastle’s first-team group.
Both Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier were keen to include him in the trophy lift at Wembley in the wake of last month’s Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool, and he was a big part of last weekend’s open-top bus parade and Town Moor party as Newcastle celebrated their success.
He is out of contract this summer though, and for all that he remains a powerful presence, it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will be offered a new deal.
“He’s a big player for us,” said Howe. “He’s very popular, and he’s still a huge leader in the group. He’s got a big presence, and I’m delighted that he got to lift the cup with the other guys. He deserved that moment for the length of time he’s been here and the service he’s given the club.”